VIRUS RESULT TURNS UP HEAT ON BERNARD MATTHEWS - HUHNE

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 13th Feb 2007

Commenting on the announcement today by the Government's Deputy Chief Vet that there is a 99.96% match between the avian flu viruses found in Hungary and in Suffolk, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defra Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said:

"The closeness of this match turns up the heat on Bernard Matthews.

"Although all options should still be considered, answers must be forthcoming on why Bernard Matthews maintained movements between the two countries after the outbreak had occurred.

"The Government must also confirm whether reports that links with the Hungarian slaughterhouse were covered up.

"In order to maintain high consumer confidence in the longer term, we need an urgent reform of country of origin labelling."