Former supermodel Claudia Schiffer's Suffolk country estate has been caught up in a bird flu outbreak, with strict biosecurity measures now imposed on the property. The news comes just days after Schiffer was photographed sitting next to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at a lavish German state banquet at Windsor Castle.
Estate Within Protection Zone
The model's home, the 16th-century Coldham Hall near Bury St Edmunds, now sits within a four-mile-wide protection zone. This was established after the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of bird flu was discovered in a non-commercial flock in the nearby village of Lawshall, roughly one mile away.
This incident is one of 62 confirmed cases of bird flu in the UK since the start of October, highlighting a significant ongoing threat to poultry and captive birds nationwide. The UK's Chief Veterinary Officer has already issued a mandatory housing order for all flocks of more than 50 birds across England, effective from November 6.
Schiffer's Menagerie Under Restrictions
In a 2014 interview, Schiffer, 55, revealed she keeps ducks, geese, and chickens for fresh eggs at the hall, which also has resident swans. She has lived at the Grade I-listed property with her filmmaker husband, Sir Matthew Vaughn, since 2002. The couple's array of animals also includes dogs, cats, tortoises, and pigs.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has now enforced a raft of strict rules on the estate. Key requirements include:
- Keeping all captive birds housed, unless a vet grants an exemption on welfare grounds.
- Not moving any birds without an official licence.
- Reporting any signs of illness in their flocks immediately.
- Keeping a detailed record of any visitors who go near the birds.
Furthermore, Coldham Hall is also within an additional 20km surveillance zone triggered by another H5N1 outbreak detected earlier last week near Chedburgh, approximately three miles away.
From State Banquet to Biosecurity
The biosecurity alert presents a stark contrast to Schiffer's high-profile appearance just last week. She was a guest at the 152-guest state banquet in St George’s Hall, Windsor, held in honour of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender.
Photographs from the event showed Schiffer and Sir Keir Starmer seated next to each other, appearing to engage in conversation and enjoy each other's company during the prestigious diplomatic event.
The situation at her Suffolk home now underscores how the bird flu crisis is affecting households across the country, from commercial farms to private estates, necessitating vigilance and stringent controls to prevent further spread.
