Avian Influenza (Hansard, 8 September 2003)

§ Mr. Bradshaw

European Community legislation lays down procedures for controlling avian influenza (AI) outbreaks in EU member states. The measures taken by the Dutch, Belgian and German authorities and endorsed by the European Commission follow the rules laid down in this legislation.

Following the confirmation of AI in the Netherlands and Belgium in March and April 2003 respectively, the Dutch and Belgian authorities imposed a standstill on the transport of live poultry and hatching eggs within those countries. The Dutch and Belgian authorities also stopped their exports of live poultry, hatching eggs and fresh unprocessed and non-heat treated poultry manure and litter. In May 2003, AI was also confirmed in the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany and the German authorities took similar action. In each instance the European Commission put in place Community legislation to reinforce the action taken by the countries concerned.

In each case following the confirmation of AI, Defra issued Declarations under domestic animal health legislation to ban imports of live poultry, hatching eggs, racing/show pigeons, fresh unprocessed and non-heat-treated poultry manure or litter and dead day-old chicks from the Netherlands, Belgium and the affected part of Germany. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also introduced similar Declarations. EU legislation does not permit trade in fresh poultry meat if it was obtained from poultry originating in established surveillance zones in those countries. In light of Germany and Belgium's confirmation on 26 June and 16 July 2003 respectively, that there had been no further outbreaks and that the disease had been successfully eradicated, restrictions were lifted from Belgium and the affected part of Germany. Defra revoked the declarations and have informed the trade that they can import live poultry, hatching eggs, racing/show pigeons and fresh unprocessed and non-heat treated poultry manure and litter from the whole of Germany and Belgium.

On 22 July 2003, Defra issued a Declaration lifting all import restrictions on live poultry, their hatching eggs and racing/show pigeons from the Netherlands except from the area between the provinces of Utrecht and Gelderland and the area North of Limburg in the Netherlands.

The European Commission is keeping all member states informed of the AI situation in the Netherlands. The Government are satisfied that the German, Dutch and Belgian authorities have done all that was needed to control the disease. Defra will continue to monitor the situation in the Netherlands.

Officials have reviewed and updated the AI contingency arrangements. In the event of an outbreak of avian influenza in the UK, the structures, frameworks 284W and systems that are set out in Defra's Foot and Mouth Disease Contingency Plan will be put in place as appropriate. In support of these plans are operational instructions detailing the actions to be taken to deliver the plan. As part of the review of our state of readiness, we have taken powers which would allow a pre-emptive or firebreak cull should that be necessary (The Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease (England and Wales) Order 2003).

Defra has also kept the industry informed and up to date information on the AI situation may be obtained from the Defra website. Defra also reminded egg and poultry producers in the UK about the need for stringent biosecurity measures at all times. Officials asked poultry producers in the UK to be vigilant for any signs of respiratory disease in birds and contact their local veterinary office immediately if they have any concerns.