Bird flu restrictions lifted after disease controls

Poultry and other birds within a 3km (1.8-mile) protection zone had to be inside

Bird flu restrictions which required poultry and other captive birds to be housed in part of Shropshire have been lifted.

As part of the restrictions rolled out earlier this year, a 3km (1.8-mile) protection zone and a 10km (6.2-mile) surveillance zone, which extended into the Wrexham local authority area, were implemented.

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

A spokesperson for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said disease control activities had been completed. The area which was in the protection zone becomes part of surveillance zone.

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.

Protection zones mean all poultry and captive birds in the area must be housed indoors while surveillance zones mean a record must be kept of all poultry and eggs which leave or enter premises within the zone.