The end of free-range eggs? Year-round bird flu outbreaks may keep hens inside

Highly virulent variants of avian flu now appear endemic in wild birds, making farms prone to outbreaks all year, experts warn

Free-range chickens and eggs may no longer be feasible to produce in the UK and elsewhere in Europe in future due to a dramatic escalation in avian flu outbreaks, say leading disease experts.

The UK and continental Europe have been hit by the largest outbreak of avian flu on record this winter, with millions of birds culled on farms across the continent.

Experts say highly pathogenic variants of avian flu now appear to be endemic in wild birds, creating a risk of infection all year.

In the UK, farmers have been ordered to keep their birds indoors since last November and as of this week have been prevented from selling their eggs as free range.