Responding to the news that the government is funding research into Avian Influenza, NFU poultry board chair James Mottershead, said: “After the largest AI outbreak the UK has ever seen this year, it’s good to see the government taking a positive step to help the industry tackle the disease in the future.

“AI has been devastating for so many poultry farmers across the country, causing great distress emotionally, mentally and financially for farming families. We want to work with the government to minimise the impacts of any future AI outbreaks so we do not experience another year like this one.

“There’s still a lot we don’t know about AI. Hopefully this research can help us understand more about the disease and how we can prevent it, and ultimately put bird keepers in a better position to protect their flocks.”