As the bird flu epidemic affects so many parts of the country, I today raised this worrying issue in the House of Commons. Especially as it feels that Norfolk is at the epicentre. At the wildlife rescue meeting in Hoveton last Wednesday, volunteer organisations and wildlife rescue charities raised the issue of how they can be given the necessary permissions and legal clearance to assist in the clear up emergency. Many wild birds and swans have been reported to me as having died on the Broads. Particularly bad areas affected are the Ant, Bure and Thurne. I asked the Minister about this today. If you see any birds you suspect have died of avian flu, please contact the DEFRA avian flu hotline on 03459 33 55 77.
