Some 80,000 chickens on a broiler farm in Waddinxveen have been culled following an outbreak of bird flu, the farm ministry said at the weekend.

The deaths brings the total number of birds killed since the epidemic began a year ago to at least 4.6 million.

Last week the government reintroduced a nationwide ban on the use of outdoor pens at factory farms.

In addition, people who keep a few ducks or chickens as a hobby will have to make sure their poultry cannot come into contact with wild birds or their excrement by using screens and cages.

Wageningen University is currently carrying out research on a potential vaccine and the first results are due in December.