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Problems spotted at bird flu site Problems spotted at bird flu site
(10 minutes later)
A string of problems were found at the Bernard Matthews plant where the bird flu outbreak occurred.A string of problems were found at the Bernard Matthews plant where the bird flu outbreak occurred.
A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs report said many gulls were seen carrying off meat waste from uncovered bins at the site.A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs report said many gulls were seen carrying off meat waste from uncovered bins at the site.
Other problems prompted official advice from the Meat Hygiene Service.Other problems prompted official advice from the Meat Hygiene Service.
The report said poultry imported to the UK from Hungary is the "most plausible" cause of the bird flu outbreak found at Holton in Suffolk on 3 February.The report said poultry imported to the UK from Hungary is the "most plausible" cause of the bird flu outbreak found at Holton in Suffolk on 3 February.
Parallel investigations found:- Parallel investigations found:
  • Pest control workers noted last month large numbers of gulls attracted to uncovered bins full of trimmings from turkey breasts
  • This had also been a problem last year
  • Gulls were observed carrying turkey waste away and roosting on the roof of the turkey houses 500 metres away
  • There were holes in the houses that could have allowed birds or rodents in
  • Polythene bags containing residue of liquid waste could have blown around the site
  • Plastic-covered bales of wood shavings used as bedding were kept outside
  • Pest control workers noted last month large numbers of gulls attracted to uncovered bins full of trimmings from turkey breasts
  • This had also been a problem last year
  • Gulls were observed carrying turkey waste away and roosting on the roof of the turkey houses 500 metres away
  • There were holes in the houses that could have allowed birds or rodents in
  • Polythene bags containing residue of liquid waste could have blown around the site
  • Plastic-covered bales of wood shavings used as bedding were kept outside
The MHS also revealed that it had had to offer advice on rules that were being broken a number of times over the last year.The MHS also revealed that it had had to offer advice on rules that were being broken a number of times over the last year.
But investigators have found all food importing and processing activities at the Bernard Matthews plant at Holton complied with European law.But investigators have found all food importing and processing activities at the Bernard Matthews plant at Holton complied with European law.
The firm has now lifted a voluntary ban on poultry movement to and from Hungary.The firm has now lifted a voluntary ban on poultry movement to and from Hungary.
It imposed the ban on 8 February during concern over the outbreak at its plant.It imposed the ban on 8 February during concern over the outbreak at its plant.
Defra said there was "little evidence" of wild birds spreading the disease to the UK.Defra said there was "little evidence" of wild birds spreading the disease to the UK.
The H5N1 strain found on the site is nearly identical to that in Hungary.The H5N1 strain found on the site is nearly identical to that in Hungary.
The government has now completed its interim epidemiological report into the source of the outbreak.The government has now completed its interim epidemiological report into the source of the outbreak.
Original sourceOriginal source
It said wild birds were unlikely to be the source of the outbreak as H5N1 has not been found in such birds since August last year, and surveillance at the Holton plant failed to find any infected animals.It said wild birds were unlikely to be the source of the outbreak as H5N1 has not been found in such birds since August last year, and surveillance at the Holton plant failed to find any infected animals.
Fred Landeg, deputy chief vet, said: "We may never be able to conclusively pinpoint the original source of the virus."Fred Landeg, deputy chief vet, said: "We may never be able to conclusively pinpoint the original source of the virus."
An investigation led by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) found there was no evidence of meat coming from inside the restricted zone around the outbreak in Hungary to the UK.An investigation led by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) found there was no evidence of meat coming from inside the restricted zone around the outbreak in Hungary to the UK.
A parallel investigation by the Health Protection Agency found there had been little risk for workers at Holton and there was no need for antiviral treatment.A parallel investigation by the Health Protection Agency found there had been little risk for workers at Holton and there was no need for antiviral treatment.
Meanwhile, officials have also lifted a ban on gatherings of birds, such as shows, sales and racing, outside the restricted zones, as well as changing rules on shooting and keeping of domestic birds within the restricted zones.Meanwhile, officials have also lifted a ban on gatherings of birds, such as shows, sales and racing, outside the restricted zones, as well as changing rules on shooting and keeping of domestic birds within the restricted zones.
Disinfecting operationDisinfecting operation
Bernard Matthews has defended the handling of the outbreak saying that there were no attempts at a cover-up. Sales have fallen 40% at the firm.Bernard Matthews has defended the handling of the outbreak saying that there were no attempts at a cover-up. Sales have fallen 40% at the firm.
Following a cull and a disinfecting operation, the plant started to receive consignments of turkeys from other sites in the UK on Tuesday.Following a cull and a disinfecting operation, the plant started to receive consignments of turkeys from other sites in the UK on Tuesday.
Some Bernard Matthews turkey products have already been cleared by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to be released for sale.Some Bernard Matthews turkey products have already been cleared by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to be released for sale.
The company had been voluntarily holding the products at cold stores in Chesterfield and at Holton.The company had been voluntarily holding the products at cold stores in Chesterfield and at Holton.
The first consignment of turkeys after the government gave the company the go-ahead to resume operations arrived at the Holton plant on Tuesday.The first consignment of turkeys after the government gave the company the go-ahead to resume operations arrived at the Holton plant on Tuesday.
The government has emphasised that properly cooked poultry is safe to eat.The government has emphasised that properly cooked poultry is safe to eat.
A Bernard Matthews spokesman said: "Today's report indicates that the authorities have identified ways in which biosecurity can be enhanced and Bernard Matthews will comply with any recommendations.A Bernard Matthews spokesman said: "Today's report indicates that the authorities have identified ways in which biosecurity can be enhanced and Bernard Matthews will comply with any recommendations.
"The detailed nature of the epidemiological report also confirms that Bernard Matthews followed all of Defra's biosecurity regulations at that time.""The detailed nature of the epidemiological report also confirms that Bernard Matthews followed all of Defra's biosecurity regulations at that time."