Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs written question – answered at on 21 November 2016.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what advice her Department (a) has issued and (b) is planning to issue to minimise the risk of an outbreak of avian flu in the winter of 2016-17; what other steps she is taking to minimise the risk of such an outbreak; and if she will make a statement.
The Government is well prepared and has a strong track record of controlling avian influenza outbreaks. Since 2014 there have been four confirmed cases in the UK, all of which have been limited to single premises.
A detailed control strategy for notifiable avian diseases is published on GOV.UK. Regular assessments detailing the potential risk of avian influenza incursions to the UK following confirmed cases in Europe have also been published, which contain further biosecurity advice for keepers and encourage vigilance and reporting suspicion of disease. This complements biosecurity advice for poultry keepers which is always available on GOV.UK and which is updated when required. Defra is also working closely with representatives of the egg and poultry industry to monitor and review the risks of a disease outbreak and communicate that to keepers and is participating in the eleven poultry industry regional biosecurity roadshows taking place around the UK.
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