A FARM on the outskirts of Newton Abbot says it is ‘truly heartbreaking’ as thousands of its birds are to be culled amid an outbreak of avian flu.
Orchard Organic Farm’s population of 5,000 hens will be culled by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) later this week.
With avian flu spreading across the county, cases were confirmed to be present at the farm near Stokeinteignhead.
This comes after the APHA confirmed cases of a ‘highly pathogenic avian influenza’ at a premises in Teignmouth.
Situated above the southern bank of the estuary of the River Teign, Orchard Organic Farm grows apples and vegetables, in addition to rearing hens.
Orchard Organic Farm prides itself on the health, welfare and quality of life of its hens, saying it is their ‘number one priority’.
In a post to its Facebook page, the farms said: ‘Over the past fifteen years, we have poured everything into building this farm, and to lose it all so suddenly is almost impossible to put into words.
‘We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received from our customers and community over the years, and we appreciate your understanding during this difficult time.’