Environment Secretary Liz Truss insisted today (Monday) that East Yorkshire remains "open for business" after a case of bird flu was confirmed on a duck breeding farm near Driffield.
Ms Truss said that swift action was needed to stamp out the outbreak, as she gave repeated reassurances that the risk to humans is very low.
She told local MPs that resources were available to tackle the disease, first identified in Nafferton at the weekend and promised affected farmers would receive compensation for any loss of earnings.
Some 6,000 birds will now be culled at the farm run by Lincolnshire firm Cherry Valley. The area around the village has been made the subject of a six-mile exclusion zone. Today, men wearing blue suits and face masks could be seen around the site of the farm.
Sir Greg Knight, whose East Yorkshire constituency sits at the heart of the outbreak, sought reassurances that the Government would do all it could to minimise the impact on the local community.
He said: "Will you confirm that no holidaymaker intending to come to the East Riding need change their plans and that East Riding remains open for business?"
Ms Truss replied: "East Yorkshire is most definitely open for business, the restrictions that we have put in place are specifically on the poultry industry.
"All of the experience of animal disease is it is important to take early and swift action and make sure it is stamped out."
European Union officials have said the British case is "most likely" linked to a current outbreak in the Netherlands, where 150,000 chickens are being killed.
In her statement to the Commons, Ms Truss said tests were ongoing to establish which strain bird flu had been found but confirmed it was not H5N1, which can sometimes transfer to humans.
She said: "Importantly, the Chief Medical Officer and Public Health England have confirmed the risk to public health is very low. It is important to note this disease is highly pathogenic for birds but the Foods Standards Agency has advised that avian flu does not pose a food safety risk."
Ms Truss said a private vet reported a possible case on Friday morning and a Government vet visited later the same day. Bird flu was confirmed on Saturday evening, prompting the declaration of a "disease outbreak" and imposing an immediate 10km-wide restriction zone.
"The 6,000 ducks on the farm where the disease was identified are to be culled. Investigations are on going to discover the origins of this outbreak, including whether it is linked to recent cases found in the Netherlands and Germany," she said.
"This is detailed work to ensure we have identified all possible sources of the outbreak.
"It is essential anyone keeping poultry practises good bio-security, is vigilant for any signs of disease and seeks prompt advice from their vet.
"Whilst we are never complacent about such an important issue, we do have a strong track record of controlling and eliminating outbreaks of avian flu in the UK and we are working closely with operational partners, devolved administration colleagues and the industry to deal effectively with this outbreak."
Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart revealed that Elliot Eggs of Bewholme, just outside the exclusion zone, had contacted him in relation to the findings.
Mr Stuart said the company was already struggling to meet the supply and demand of their supermarket customers and urged the Government to strike a balance in its efforts to eradicate the disease while ensuring continued production of poultry and eggs during the festive period.
Ms Truss replied: "The poultry and egg industry is a vital part of our food and farming sector which contributes £100bn to the economy. The best way for us to do that is to deal with this as swiftly as possible and to make sure that we eradicate the disease."
She added: "We have set up a national control centre to deal with this disease. There will be a local operation run out of Beverley to make sure we have appropriate resources put in place for surveillance in the local area - we are taking this extremely seriously.
"We do have a good record but we simply can't be complacent.
"Let's be clear, the Food Standards Agency have said it does not pose a risk for food safety for UK consumers - that's a very important point."
John Vernam, managing director for UK Operations at Cherry Valley, which operates the farm, said: "I can confirm that a farm operated by Cherry Valley has today tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza. Culling and disinfection will be carried out under the authority of Defra and the APHA at the farm near Driffield, East Yorkshire.
"Defra has placed two exclusion zones around the farm, at 3km (protection zone) and at 10km (surveillance zone), following the requirements of the Avian Influenza order 2006. Avian influenza is a disease of birds and the risk to the general public is judged by health experts to be negligible.
"We are working closely with Defra and other agencies and are confident that the controls in place are proportionate to the risks involved. We will be continuing our vigilance over the coming days and, like all poultry producers in the area, will be working with the authorities in the ongoing surveillance programme."
Meanwhile, residents are being urged to keep their eyes out for signs of bird flu within wild birds.
Chris Collett, from RSPB, said: "We understand that the risk to humans is extremely low and that there is no evidence that the disease has been spread by wild birds.
"Staff on our nature reserves are being vigilant for any signs of the disease.
"If a member of the public finds five or more dead birds in a single location, they should call the Defra helpline on 08459 33 55 77."
Gary Lavis, chair of Nafferton Parish Council, said: "We are wondering how this case of bird flu could affect the wildlife in the area. There is a nearby mere."• For more details visit www.gov.uk/avian-influenza-bird-flu or call the Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77.• Those keeping small flocks of poultry, fewer than 50 birds, are also being encouraged to register their animals by calling the Poultry Register Helpline on 0800 634 1112.
