Scotland's poultry producers are keeping a close eye on the spread of avian flu, which has moved westwards across Russia. The UK veterinary authorities still deem the outbreak to be a low risk to the UK. The authorities do not believe it is necessary to bring in outdoor poultry, a move taken by the Dutch government. However, both the industry and government in the UK is keeping a watching brief on the situation.

Michael Darrah is Chairman of the NFUS Poultry Working Group. He said:

"Poultry producers are concerned, but are nowhere near pressing the panic button yet. Government scientists still judge this to be a low risk.

"The westward spread of this more contagious form of avian flu needs to be watched very closely. Scotland does have a lot of wild fowl which migrate through the country so there is a potential risk to our poultry flock.

"Having said that, avian flu hasn't reached our shores before, and just because this strain is more virulent doesn't necessarily mean it can overcome the geography any easier. We have been in contact with the Scottish Executive and officials are monitoring the situation.

"There is a concern for free-range producers. If they bring their poultry inside and shut the doors, they are no longer officially free-range, so the produce can't be sold as such. Losing that marketing status would be a massive blow.

"If government orders the birds inside, an EU Commission derogation should kick in which still allows farmers to sell their produce as free-range. However, if producers decide voluntarily to bring poultry inside, it is not as straight-forward. There is no sign yet that free-range producers are at that point or will need to take that precautionary step. However, if the situation escalates, this is an issue the Executive and Defra will need to address."

• In Russia's Siberian and Urals regions, 13,000 birds have so far died from a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). A further 112,000 birds have been slaughtered to prevent the spread of the disease. The Russian authorities are also investigating mass bird deaths further west but the disease has not been confirmed.

• Avian influenza, or bird flu, has never hit the UK, although in the Netherlands, 1,200 farms were infected in 2003 and 30 million poultry destroyed. The Dutch veterinary authorities have now ordered all farmers to keep their birds housed from 19 August. Other member states may follow suit, although Defra and the Scottish Executive have stated that the current risk analysis does not justify such a measure in the UK.