A POTENTIALLY devastating disease could threaten East Anglia's turkey farms during their busiest period of the year, farmers warned last night.Outbreaks of the disease, called blackhead, have caused a big problem in mainland Europe – raising fears it could find its way into British farms.
A POTENTIALLY devastating disease could threaten East Anglia's turkey farms during their busiest period of the year, farmers warned last night.
Outbreaks of the disease, called blackhead, have caused a big problem in mainland Europe – raising fears it could find its way into British farms.
It causes the birds to slowly waste away and spreads through the soil. The only drug on the market to treat the sickness was withdrawn by the European Union due to health fears.
Last night, Michael Russell, who owns Willowtree Farm in Glemsford, near Sudbury, feared it could potentially be as serious for business as foot-and-mouth disease.
He said: "It is quite worrying. If they do get it, then it is like foot-and-mouth and could affect a lot of turkeys very soon.
"We will have to use disinfectant and try to keep people away."
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