Avian Flu
Extract from minutes
Peter Hayford went to a meeting on 28th Feb 2007 with DEFRA, RBST and many other senior people there. Here is an extract from the minutes, with links to DEFRA's web site on the subject
"Julian West reported on the implementation of EU Directive 2005/941EC on the control of Avian Influenza. The Directive is concerned both with low and high pathogenic Al. Similar controls will be applied in both cases except for wild birds. In a low pathogenic (LP) outbreak it is possible that birds will be kept in quarantine until they are clear of the disease, and then may be allowed into the food chain. In a high pathogenic (HP) outbreak infected poultry and other caged birds will be culled. Defra is hopeful that an outbreak will be contained in a small area.
Veterinary Officers (VO) will carry out a risk assessment. Birds will be classified as conservation specimens, or rare breeds, or pets. Where the disease risk is minimal, birds which are kept under proper bio-security conditions will not be slaughtered unnecessarily. Adequate bio-security is essential.
Asked how birds would be identified, Julian West replied that it was planned for VOs to have recourse to some form of visual identity and descriptive documents. Many birds will not be ringed or registered. VOs will use their judgment and owners will be given the benefit of the doubt. The sanction of legal action would be considered in the event that fraudulent claims are made. Jack Killeen advised that, in his opinion, specialist poultry breeders would be willing to cooperate and help VOs to verify breed identity, especially if their breeds were threatened.
Delegates were generally pleased to hear Defra’s views. Keepers understand that culling is inevitable on infected premises. Asked about areas of infection, Julian West responded that there are no plans to cull except on infected premises and dangerous contacts. It is possible that premises immediately adjacent to infected premises would not be affected."
DEFRA Links - http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/index.htm