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Turkeys from Turkey?
One in five people say that turkeys can fly while one in ten believes the bird originates from Turkey, a new survey reveals.

The poll quizzed 3,000 people about their festive eating habits, how they choose a Christmas bird and how much they know about turkeys in general.

The results revealed that 20 per cent of people believe turkeys can fly with a further 14 per cent not knowing if this is true or not – 66 per cent said they can’t. Ten per cent of people think turkeys originate from Turkey while nearly half have no idea where they come from. Only 11 per cent know that a male turkey is called a stag.

Mike Bailey, a seasonal producer and vice-chairman of the NFU poultry board representing turkeys, said: “It has been fascinating to find out how much our customers know about turkeys. One of the more interesting findings is that public opinion is split on the age-old question of whether turkeys can fly or not and although you are not going to see them flying south for winter, turkeys can actually get off the ground for a short distance.

“I am pleased to add that 67 per cent of British public will tuck into turkey as their main meal on Christmas Day, with 58 per cent saying they will buy fresh. It is also interesting that 39 per cent will buy from a butcher, directly from the farm or a local market. This compares to 52 per cent who intend to buy from a supermarket. The survey revealed what their biggest priorities are when choosing a turkey, 61 per cent of people plump for quality, ahead of price (26 per cent), which means they put quality above the price for this most important meal of the year.”

Some other survey results:
  • People in the North East are least likely to eat turkey this Christmas as their main meal, with those in the North West most likely
  • Londoners are most likely to eat a fresh turkey on the day – people in the West Midlands are more keen on frozen
  • 39 per cent of people only eat turkey at Christmas but 80 per cent of people eat chicken at least once a fortnight
  • Other popular meats served up on Christmas Day include chicken, goose, duck, venison, salmon, ham and gammon

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.