Fears have been raised about a possible turkey shortage this Christmas because of a rampant surge in bird flu. Farmer Tom Pate, 43, who keeps 600 turkeys says is a very nervous time for the industry in the lead up to the holiday season.
Bird keepers across the UK have been told to adhere to strict biosecurity measures in a bid to stop the virus spreading. Tom, the owner of South Powrie farm near Dundee, has been selling his free-range turkeys to customers for Christmas for 11 years.
But he has been forced to bring the birds indoors in a desperate bid to protect them from the disease – and warned an outbreak would wipe out his entire flock. Tom said there would undoubtedly be a shortage of birds this Christmas and is hopeful his security measures will prevent him having to disappoint loyal customers.
Dad-of-three Tom said: “I think undoubtedly there will be a shortage of birds for Christmas. Bird flu usually comes over in the autumn and only last over the winter months - but this outbreak started last year and it hasn’t gone away.
“It’s a very bad situation and we are losing the battle with it. It’s an explosive disease and the risks are very great. It comes over in the wild bird population and all it takes is for one infected bird dropping to land in the wrong place and that would be it for my entire flock.
“There will be shortages this Christmas, but I think the shortage will become a long-term problem. We have 600 turkeys which we sell direct to local customers.
“We have been selling them for 11 years and built up a loyal customer base and we are desperate not to let them down. We are doing everything we can to protect the birds and prevent bird flu so we are still able to sell the turkeys for Christmas.
“We have taken the decision to bring all our birds inside because the risks are just too great. It’s not what we want to do but it’s the right decision for the bird’s welfare. If the farm was to gets infected it could kill the whole flock or they would have to be culled so there is a huge pressure to contain the disease.”
Since October 2021, 190 cases have been confirmed in the UK with more than 30 of these confirmed since the beginning of this month. An Avian Influenza Protection Zone is now in place and farmers must comply with strict biosecurity rules.
Tom added: “There are a lot of nervous people just now, especially people who have commercial flocks. This is the worst outbreak we have ever seen.”
