As my urgent work on the serious Bird Flu crisis continues and I provide support to our local farmers and poultry businesses, as well as highlight my shared concern with conservationists about the enormous potential impacts upon our local wild bird populations, I welcomed the opportunity to be involved this morning in the latest urgent briefing held on the matter – this time by the Rt Hon Lord Benyon (Minister for Biosecurity, Marine and Rural Affairs) and his DEFRA officials, including the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Christine Middlemiss.

As someone that has grown up and lived in East Anglia for much of their life, previously worked for the NFU and served as a local MP for a largely rural area for over a decade, with a deep personal connection to nature, I am very aware of the pressures the current bird flu crisis is putting on our vital local poultry sector, as well as the concerns it is causing for so many local conservationists.

That’s why I was pleased to receive an update this morning on just how much work DEFRA, along with the likes of the Animal and Plant Health Agency, are doing to try and best support those affected. I am left in no doubt that ministers and officials understand the seriousness of the situation. They are clearly committed to doing all they can.

However, there was also a clear acknowledgement that more can still be done and, while some improvements have now been made to the compensation scheme for impacted farmers, I welcome the news that DEFRA take onboard the frustrations of many in this key sector and are working across the board to explore what additional measures they can take and support they can offer.

Rest assured, I will continue to do my upmost to support local businesses and conservationists, and am delighted that ministers are treating this crisis with the seriousness it deserves. I know that colleagues have secured a Westminster Hall debate next week as part of the ongoing efforts to raise awareness and I will be following that extremely closely.

To see the letter I have already sent the new Secretary of State at DEFRA, please click here.

To stay up to date with all of my work on this issue, including previous webstories, please visit my farming and the environment campaign page here.

To see the recent EDP article in which I feature, please click here.