The Mirror reports that top scientific adviser under Tony Blair’s administration has warned that the arrival of bird flu may lead to the end of organic and free-range poultry.

Sir David King said it was likely the deadly H5N1 virus will spread among the UK’s wild bird population. That will mean more poultry flocks have to be kept inside to reduce the risk of infection from mixing with them.

He said: “It means organic farming and free-range farming would come to an end. It will change farming practices.”

And a source at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs told the Mirror: “Even if bird flu does not hit poultry, it will still mean many, if not all, fowl are no longer able to roam free as they would be at risk from contamination by infected wild birds.

“Sadly, that could be the end of free-range farm practices.”

Published Saturday, April 8th, 2006 at 5:52 pm in Organic Industry.