THE Country Land and Business Association has issued guidance to its members on how government officials could enforce bird flu controls.

The report advises what powers Defra officials have in the event of an outbreak and how Defra has indicated those powers will be used.

The association's director for Worcestershire, Frances Beatty, said: There is a collective responsibility to maintain vigilance and follow the bio-security advice issued by the government. The CLA and other stakeholders are working with Defra to try to ensure that all preventative measures are necessary and practical and will have a minimum impact on businesses."

She added: "Nevertheless, we remember foot-and-mouth disease and the number of situations in which government officials went beyond their powers, both to enter land and cull stock and the dilemma in which farmers found themselves as a result.

"Our guidance note aims to make sure that farmers and land managers are better acquainted with their rights and responsibilities this time round."

The report is on the CLA website info.westmidlands@cla.org.uk or by calling CLA West Midlands on 01785 284722.