The Chief Executives of Norfolk County Council, Broadland District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and South Norfolk Councils have written to offer advice and reassurance to more than 50,000 residents living in the avian flu restricted zone.

The letters - only being sent to people living in an area south of the A47 and east of the A140 - are being posted out today (Tuesday) and explain how the DEFRA restriction zone will operate and what it will mean for poultry owners.

The letter also stresses that avian flu does not pose a food safety risk to UK consumers, that there are tried and tested plans to address the outbreak - and that the Norfolk countryside remains open for everyone to enjoy.

The letter is signed by Colin Bland, Chief Executive of Broadland District Council, David White, Chief Executive of Norfolk County Council, Geoff Rivers, Chief Executive of South Norfolk Council and Richard Packham, Chief Executive of Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

The letter concludes by saying: "We realise this may be a difficult and unsettling time for residents and a very worrying time for the poultry industry.

"But Norfolk as a whole is still very much open for business and leisure. Together with colleagues in many other agencies we are working through well-tested plans to do everything possible locally to help the national agencies minimise any risk, contain the latest outbreak in Suffolk and support our local poultry industry.

"This means that we are supporting the agencies involved by monitoring the movement of birds, helping to enforce any restriction zones and helping to keep people informed."

Norfolk County Council's Trading Standards Officers are providing a range of  assistance to colleagues in Suffolk, such as helping them to answer questions from the public as well as helping on the ground.

Norfolk County Council Trading Standards officers are also visiting poultry keepers in the Norfolk part of the restricted area to remind them of their responsibilities.

In addition, road signs informing the public they are entering a restricted zone are in the process of being erected. All councils are anxious to stress the restrictions only apply to the movement and housing of poultry.

The four councils have also produced a poster giving advice to residents which can be used on noticeboards.

You can read a copy of the joint letter by visiting www.norfolk.gov.uk/avianflu or by contacting any of the people listed below

*If you want to hear a Portuguese version of the letter you can call 01603 222606, to hear a Polish version ring 01603 222605.

If you keep poultry within the restricted zone and would like advice please call 0844 800 8013

For further information please contact:

Mark Langlands, Media and Public Affairs Manager, Norfolk County Council, 01603 222973
Angi Doy, Broadland District Council, 01603 430523
David Peel, South Norfolk Council, 01508 533611
Karla Symonds, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, 01493 846512 or email krs@great-yarmouth.gov.uk