Bird flu highlights holes in cargo cover

The outbreak of avian flu in Suffolk has highlighted a lack of cover for UK exporters.

Imports of British poultry have been banned by Russia, Japan, South Korea, South Africa, Indonesia and Hong Kong.

Bernard Fyans, marine development executive at Aon, said: “The foreign ban on British poultry will leave exporters with the expense of re-directing or returning their shipments which are already on the high seas.

"Whereas a standard cargo insurance policy will pay out for loss, damage or deterioration, only a very few of the larger players tend to have cover for rejection. Therefore, the avian flu outbreak for one farm in Suffolk could have an expensive knock on effect for the rest of the British poultry industry.”