Responding to the announcement that the bird flu outbreak in East Anglia is the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, local MP Tim Farron said:
"This is a bitter blow for poultry farmers. Every precaution must be taken to prevent the spread of this disease.
"Ministers have recently announced surprise funding cuts to local councils' animal health budgets due to incompetent budgeting at Defra.
"This decision must now be reversed and the funding shortfall made up. It would be a national disgrace if the disease were to spread due to a lack of available vets and other resources."
