A NSW hen farm is in lockdown as authorities investigate a possible case of bird flu.
The Department of Primary Industries has quarantined the facility in the lower Hunter region, north of Sydney.
The department said the suspected avian influenza case did not involve the same virus strain that claimed human lives around the world.
NSW Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson said a decision whether to cull the 50,000 birds would be made once testing had been completed by the CSIRO's Animal Health Laboratory in Geelong.
"The Food Authority and NSW Health have been consulted, and have advised there are no food safety issues," Ms Hodgkinson told parliament.
"Poultry and eggs are safe to eat."
