The head of the National Farmers Union complained today that the British public is not being kept properly informed about the spread of bird flu and called for "some perspective" about the risks posed by the virus.

Tim Bennett, the NFU president, said that only 60 people had died worldwide from the disease in the last couple of years compared with 4,000 people who die in Britain from common flu each year. And he said that there had still not been a mutation of the bird flu virus making it transmissible between humans.

"This is a disease that is in Eastern Europe and not even in this country," Mr Bennett said.

"Of course we do not take the threat of avian influenza in any way lightly. But let’s get some perspective - we are talking about a pandemic when there is not even a mutation of the virus."

His comments came as veterinary experts from the 25 EU member states met in Brussels to discuss proposals aimed at halting the spread of bird flu by improving "biosecurity" on European farms.

The European Commission, which has already banned live imports of live birds from Turkey and Romania, is recommending separating high-risk poultry from areas such as wetland or other areas known to be frequented by migratory birds. It might also force free-range poultry farmers to bring their flocks indoors to prevent infection.

Results from a scientific laboratory in Weybridge, Surrey on whether an outbreak of avian flu in Romania is the same lethal H5N1 strain discovered in poultry in Turkey are expected tomorrow after the samples were delayed en route.

Experts on migratory routes, wild birds and hunting are attending today’s emergency meeting of the EU’s Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health.

A Commission spokesman said: "The veterinary experts are considering proposals which we have put on the table and we expect a decision later this afternoon. Each member state will define which areas are at risk and apply the necessary measures to separate wild birds from poultry."

He added that formal adoption of the measures would take "some days".

Officials said today that an emergency meeting of EU foreign ministers will take place in Luxembourg next Tuesday to discuss world trade talks and the bird flu crisis.

The NFU said consumers needed to be reassured that poultry was still safe to eat.

Mr Bennett said: "The only people who have died are poultry workers, people who have been working with poultry in Asia. I am concerned that consumers are not getting a clear message that poultry is safe to eat."

Charles Bourns, chairman of the NFU Poultry Board, said farmers must keep their poultry enclosures clean in order not to attract wild birds.

But he insisted that chickens and poultry were still safe to eat adding: "I want to assure the British public that we as an industry are taking, and are prepared to take, all necessary steps to protect our flocks from disease."

Explore UK News

• Science News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• Savers left in limbo as Icesave freezes deposits
• Kennel Club changes breeding rules
• Passengers triple risk of fatal crashes