Ireland and Russia today banned imports of British poultry and eggs, and farmers elsewhere in Europe took steps to shield their flocks from the possible spread of deadly bird flu from an infected British turkey farm.

Poultry farmers around Europe were on guard today against the possible spread of bird flu across the North Sea from infected Britain, fearing the disease could be carried by wild birds.

France’s agriculture minister today urged “very strong vigilance” – but no panic – in the face of bird flu outbreaks in Britain and Hungary.

THE Irish and French agriculture ministers yesterday expressed concern about the implications of a new world trade agreement.

The H5 bird flu virus turned up on a turkey farm in south-eastern France, but it was not immediately clear whether it was the deadly strain, France’s agriculture minister said today.

France today said it would send accident investigation experts to Egypt following the crash of a charter aircraft with 148 people on board, including 134 French tourists.