A Suffolk farm boss has predicted a shortage of high-quality turkeys this Christmas as bird flu ravages flocks in the county.
The warning comes as the legal requirement for birdkeepers to house creatures indoors is being extended to all areas of the country.
The requirement was initially brought in in early October in areas described as 'hot spot' areas – these included Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Essex.
The disease has been detected at more than 70 premises since the beginning of October, as well as multiple reports in wild birds. On October 29 it was detected at a premises near Saxmundham.
Chris Mobbs from P.A.Mobbs & Sons at Whitehouse Farm in Suffolk said: "We have got a month to go and we really don't know what is going to happen between now and the beginning of December.
"As it stands we have not been affected and hopefully we won't be because we are taking all the precautions we can, but it is frightening because some of it is not in our control.
"I am not surprised that the regulation has been extended to all of England.
"Our saving grace is that we are very remote, but who is to say what a bird flying over could be carrying."
Philip Hunter from Suffolk Turkeys said: "I think there is definitely going to be a shortage of really good quality butchers turkeys. They are predominantly produced by small farms and each butcher normally has a farm they deal with and some of those farms have been hit.
"I have had phone calls from butchers who I have never dealt with before who are looking for turkeys.
"There is however quite a lot of frozen turkey being imported so I don't think people won't be able to get one, but there will be a shortage of good quality ones."
Suffolk Turkeys in Fressingfield has not been affected by the bird flu problem.
Mr Hunter continued: "From our point of view, it is really stressful thinking that you could get it anytime.
"Our biosecurity is as good as we can do and we will do everything we can to get to Christmas and to December but you do still have the worry.
"As a small business, we have worked all year to get to this point, and we have invested a lot of money to get here."
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