The Government is developing its investigation into the cause of the outbreak of avian influenza in the Suffolk poultry farm, following preliminary scientific tests showing the viruses in Suffolk and recent outbreaks in Hungary may well be identical. Imported turkey meat from Hungary to a processing plant next to the farm in Suffolk is being considered as a possible route of infection.

Deputy Chief Vet Fred Landeg said 'the virus has probably come directly from Hungary to the UK and not via migratory birds,' he said. 'With other evidence it is looking like that [turkey imports] is the most probable route at the moment.'