A combination of rising cases of bird flu, increased energy and feed costs and inflation is hitting poultry farmers, who are calling for supermarkets and suppliers to work with them to improve confidence in the industry.

In the past two weeks there have been three further outbreaks of bird flu in the region, at Barnard Castle, Leyburn and Easingwold. This comes on top of previous outbreaks at Thirsk and Northallerton. Commercial poultry farmers have had to slaughter thousands of birds and protection zones have been thrown around large areas.

It is the third year farmers have had to cope with bird flu outbreaks across the UK, with birds kept inside and millions slaughtered across the country. Coming on top of rising inflation and spiralling costs, NFU leaders fear the combination of problems will drive people out of the industry.

NFU county chairman for North Riding and Durham, William Maughan, an arable, poultry and beef farmer near Darlington, said: "It is obviously an ongoing issue, it's been the worst year we have had.

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"The housing order has been in place for three weeks. It is a concern, going forward we can manage it, most commercial farmers are prepared and very careful on bio security. With bird flu and also extreme inflation in the UK and feed costs, energy and other things going up in price it is difficult and we are only just starting to see the support in the supply chain and additional price rises coming back.

"That is putting pressure on people, the risk from bird flu it is something else when margins are being squeezed, that is why people are retiring and leaving sheds empty."

He said farmers are looking and working months ahead and they need to have confidence that prices will make it worthwhile. With some supermarkets restricting egg sales, and other concerns over chicken and turkey supplies, Mr Maughan said the NFU is calling for a parliamentary investigation into the supply chain.

He added: "We are very aware of the cost of living increases in some areas, but it is not being passed back quick enough. Everyone seems to be taking their share, we need more transparency to ensure continuity of supply. A lot of it is confidence for farmers, we are making long term decisions to fill a shed in six months time, and for that you need confidence that the prices are going to meet that.

"This looks as if it will carry on for some time, the combination of bird flu, inflation and the interest rates is a huge concern, but this is food and we have to work together. We need support from the supermarkets to share some of the pain and transparency in the supply chain."