§ Mr. Peter DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on preparedness for an outbreak of Avian Influenza in the UK. [118326]
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§ Mr. MorleyIn the light of the outbreak of Avian Influenza in the Netherlands we have checked all elements of the Department's preparedness and are keeping the position under review in consultation with the industry. Veterinary field instructions were reviewed and amended in early March and are being further reviewed to reflect lessons learned in the Netherlands. Other elements of emergency preparedness including laboratory capacity, slaughter methods and disposal options have all been checked and updated as necessary. The supporting structures, systems and arrangements set out in the FMD Contingency Plan are ready to be employed. In the light of information on the Dutch outbreak and our experience with FMD in 2001, we would impose national movement controls immediately, unless there was very good evidence not to do so, in order to assess the source and contain any further spread of disease. We are liaising with the industry about arrangements allowing licensed movements.
We will be checking our emergency preparedness by holding an Avian influenza exercise later this month.