Bird flu is seen as 'no threat' to Trust (From Stroud News and Journal)

Bird flu is seen as 'no threat' to Trust

VISITORS are still flocking to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge despite the recent outbreak of bird flu in Scotland.

The world-famous centre will be open as usual over Easter but staff are monitoring the avian flu situation carefully.

Manager Neil Woodward said: "There is no reason why people should avoid visiting areas with wild birds or be fearful of them.

"It is really encouraging that so many people are here today enjoying all that our centre has to offer."

Prinknash Bird and Deer Park in Cranham also said business has been largely unaffected by the discovery of the disease in the UK.

Park owner Phillip Meigh said more people were coming than at any other time.

"I am not a scientist but I am not worried in the slightest", he said.

"We are taking the precautions that we have always done and we take each day as it comes."

Farmers are also showing little concern about the possible spread of the virus.

Mark Dilloway, managing director of Seven Poultry in Thrupp, has worked in the farming industry for 20 years.

"British poultry is the safest there is and the birds are under no threat whatsoever", he said.

"We have the strictest hygiene controls and we keep in touch with DEFRA so we always know what is going on."

The first case of bird flu was confirm in the UK when a dead swan in Fife, Scotland tested positive for the H5N1 strain of avian influenza.

Three dead seagulls found at Westgate Boating Lake in Gloucester on Thursday are currently being tested.