Bird flu restrictions could be lifted 'in weeks'

One million hens had to be culled after the outbreak at a farm in Shropshire

Bird flu restrictions in Shropshire are expected to be lifted within weeks, the government has said.

The restrictions have been in place since January after an outbreak at Griffiths Family Farms – part of Oakland Farm Eggs - near Wem.

About one million hens had to be culled at the site, one of the UK's largest poultry farms, after the flock tested positive for high path avian influenza.

The timeline for lifting restrictions - expressed as "in the coming weeks" - came from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

As part of the restrictions rolled out earlier this year, owners of poultry and other captive birds within a 3km (1.8-mile) protection zone have had to keep the birds housed.

A 10km (6.2-mile) surveillance zone, which extends into the Wrexham local authority area, has meant records have had to be kept for the movements of all poultry and eggs.

Speaking shortly after the outbreak, Elwyn Griffiths, one of the owners of Griffiths Family Farms, said it was "devastating news" for the business.

He said the team would work "as quickly as possible" to ensure the welfare of the other hens on the rest of the site, as well as the farm's staff.