HC Deb 26 July 1990 vol 177 cc559-60W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to counter the import of poultry from Portugal in view of the incidence of Newcastle disease there.

Mr. Gummer

In the absence of harmonised Community rules, current national import conditions require that all poultry imported from Portugal is accompanied by a certificate signed by an official veterinarian confirming that there has been no case of ND in the flock of origin or any hatchery within 20km during the three months prior to export.

In addition such birds are also subject to a period of at least eight weeks post in port followed by a period of at least 12 weeks quarantine isolation under official veterinary supervision.

These safeguards have worked efficiently to prevent the introduction of ND into this country by imported poultry. There have been no outbreaks of ND in Great Britain from any source since 1984.