Twenty-seven thousand ducks have been culled at a farm in Co Tyrone amidst ongoing concerns about the presence of avian flu in commercial flocks on both sides of the border.
Northern Ireland's Chief Veterinary Officer Robert Huey said it had been done as a "precautionary measure" following tests which indicated a suspected outbreak of the poultry disease near Aughnacloy.
It is heartbreaking to hear of flocks being culled.
The UK's chief veterinary officer has said there is a "phenomenal level" of avian flu in the UK. Tens of thousands of farmed birds have already been culled, as the" largest number of premises ever" in an avian influenza outbreak are infected.
Officials say the risk to human health is low but infected birds should not be touched. "It has huge human, animal, and trade implications," the chief vet said.
