Calls for a ban on shooting industry's release of game birds due to avian flu risk

Many of the birds released in the wild have been imported from Europe and held in pens until they mature.

There are calls for the UK government to ban the release of millions of game birds into the countryside due to the risk they may accelerate the spread of avian flu among wild populations.

Each year over 55 million domestically-reared birds are released into the UK countryside to be shot for sport.