§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Government spent on preventing Avian Influenza being brought to the UK in each of the last five years. [102367]
§ Mr. MorleyTo prevent the introduction of Avian Influenza (AI) into the UK, the Government picks up the entire bill for the veterinary inspection and laboratory testing of imports of live poultry and their hatching eggs from Third Countries. This includes four veterinary officer visits and three animal health officer visits to quarantine premises in respect of each consignment. These costs are as follows.
£ 1998 16,800 1999 50,649 2000 52,672 2001 59,646 2002 87,330 In addition, the Government also provided consultancy and support to the Whole Animal Import 311W Programme. This support included carrying out tests for various diseases on various animal species and included work on AI. It is not possible to provide a breakdown only in respect of AI.
Imports of live poultry and hatching eggs from EU member states are accompanied by an EU harmonised health certificate which includes assurances that live poultry is free from AI.