HC Deb 17 January 1997 vol 288 cc389-90W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department has made of the likelihood of the Ross on Wye outbreak of Newcastle disease spreading; what measures have been taken to prevent the spread of the disease; and if he will make a statement. [11551]

Mrs. Browning

All outbreaks of Newcastle disease pose a risk of the disease spreading. Following confirmation of the first outbreak of disease on premises near Ross on Wye, an order was made under the Animal Health Act 1981 imposing movement restrictions on poultry and hatching eggs within a 3 km protection zone and 10 km surveillance zone around the affected premises. The same action was taken following a further outbreak close to the original outbreak, and another outbreak—which may not be linked—in East Sussex. Restrictions are not lifted until 30 days after the infected premises have been disinfected assuming that there have been no further outbreaks. The State Veterinary Service is conducting investigations with the objective of tracing the source of the infection and preventing it from spreading.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what guidelines his Department gives to farmers in respect of a suspected Newcastle disease outbreak; and if he will make a statement. [11555]

Mrs. Browning

All poultry farmers in the restricted areas are visited and given guidance as to the restrictions placed upon them, advice on the nature of the disease and how to avoid its being spread and the need to report to MAFF any suspicion of the disease.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many recognised outbreaks of Newcastle disease have been recorded on farms by area in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [11550]

(2) how many (a) chickens, (b) turkeys and (c) other birds have been affected by Newcastle disease in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [11548]

Mrs. Browning

Other than the current outbreaks this year, there has been one incident of Newcastle disease in Great Britain since 1984, in May 1996. Following the death of 11 farmed pheasants on a farm in East Sussex, the remaining flock of about 3,600 birds and chicks was slaughtered.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of birds contracting Newcastle disease currently die; and if he will make a statement. [11554]

Mrs. Browning

The rates of mortality depend upon the species and age of the bird and the virulence of the virus concerned. The virus isolated from birds in the current incident near Ross on Wye has proved to be more virulent for chickens than for turkeys.

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the causes of Newcastle disease in (i) farmed poultry, (ii) other captive birds, (iii) wild birds, (iv) other species and (v) humans; and if he will make a statement. [11553]

Mrs. Browning

MAFF has funded a number of research projects into Newcastle disease in farmed poultry and continues to do so. The following research undertaken since 1991 into Newcastle disease virus has been completed and evaluatedMolecular mechanisms of pathogenicity of Newcastle disease virus; Evaluation of the antigenicity and immunogenicity of Newcastle disease virus; Development of techniques for the rapid diagnosis of Newcastle disease and the characterisation of the virus.

The following research projects into Newcastle disease virus are currently in progress: Evaluation of the molecular basis for the pathogenicity of Newcastle disease virus; Use of monoclonal antibodies in differentiation and assessment of the relationship between Newcastle disease isolates for rapid diagnosis; Virulence assessment of Newcastle disease virus utilising a non-radioactive probe; Molecular epidemiology of Newcastle disease virus based on phylogenetic analysis of sequences; Development of alternative methods for the virulence testing of Newcastle disease isolates.

The following research project into Newcastle disease virus will begin in the next financial year: Virulence assessment and epizootiological tracing of Newcastle disease in chickens using recombinant antibodies.

Research into Newcastle disease in humans is a matter for the Department of Health but I understand that no research in this area has been undertaken recently.