Avian influenza (Bird flu): Avian Influenza Stakeholder meeting, 12 September 2005
| David Dawson (Director AHW) Simon Hewitt (EDPC) Keith Hamilton (VEXDD) John Wilesmith (AHWP) Gordon Hickman (SVS HQ) Duncan Prior (LPD) Sandra Dunbar (DARDNI) Mark Reed (EDPC) Jeremy Blackburn (BPC) |
Maria Ball (NFU) Mark Williams (BEIC) Louisa Platt (BEIC) Andrew Gunther (SA) John Avizienius (RSPCA) John Widdowson (BFREPA) Andrew Opie (BRC) Daniel Parker (BVPA / BVA) |
1 Introduction
- David Dawson thanked attendees for coming to the meeting at such short notice.
2 Feedback from 6 September EU Working Group meeting
- Five deliverables came out of the EU Working Group meeting
- Review and enhance surveillance by extending it to wildfowl
- Review and update contingency plans – just published a revision
to the AI/ND
plan in July. - Ensure thorough application of border controls – we believe that we already have effective controls and have already banned imports from affected areas.
- Biosecurity on farms should be reviewed and enhanced where necessary on the basis of local farm-by-farm risk assessments.
- Introduce additional awareness programmes to encourage greater biosecurity and early detection of Avian influenza.
- Stakeholders agreed that it is important to work with Defra to communicate appropriate information, through their journals, press offices etc.
- Stakeholders requested information on border controls and the possibility of a visit to a border post to get a clearer idea of what happens when birds / products are imported.
- Positive feedback was given regarding the Defra website, however, stakeholders stressed the importance of mail shots as many members do not have access to the internet.
3 Free-range status
- Under temporary veterinary restrictions the Dutch do have the power to market their eggs as free-range, but the Commission are looking into this and legal advice should be issued by 20 September 2005. If it is decided that the Dutch action was not proportionate to the risk, the eggs from housed birds would lose their free-range status under the EC's Egg Marketing Regulations. The issue of retrospective application of any EC ruling of the Dutch action was raised. We need to wait to see precisely what advice the Commission issues.
- Under current EC Regulations, if we were to ask for free-range birds to be housed free range / organic eggs would maintain that status under the marketing regs. However, poultry meat would not, as there is no derogation for poultry meat to retain free-range / organic status in such circumstances. It is unlikely that compensation would be paid for loss of commodity value.
- Retailers and others were advised to seek their own legal advice relating to the way they present relevant products onto the market. For example, although free-range eggs may continue to be marketed as such under the EC Egg Marketing regs, retailers may make promotional statements that go beyond those Regulations, where perhaps general trade descriptions considerations might apply.
4 Proposals for collection of data for modelling
- Recent developments in the occurrence of Highly Pathogenic Avian influenza (HPAI) have raised concerns about the infection gaining access to bird populations in the UK, and the need for a modelling capability as part of our preparedness activities.
- At present, Defra has collated the data available from government databases such as the Agricultural Censuses, the Egg Marketing Inspectorate Database, etc. The resulting database is not sufficiently accurate in a number of aspects for modelling AI.
- The confidentiality of the data needed for modelling is important for companies and individuals willing to participate. Stakeholders believe that as long as it is stated clearly what the data is for and that it will only be used for AI/ND modelling, hopefully there will not be any problems. The NFU was going to ask a lawyer to look into the issue for them.
- Stakeholders noted that there is likely to be some overlap between the first and second components of the industry as a number of the large companies which traditionally kept birds intensively, are now keeping birds extensively in smaller flocks.
- It was confirmed that at the present time it was not the intention to include game birds.
- It was hoped that the data collection/collation phase could be completed quickly to allow a start on this year.
- Stakeholders were asked to provide comments on the modelling papers to John Wilesmith (john.wilesmith@defra.gsi.gov.uk) by close of business Friday 23 September 2005.
5 Possible disease scenarios and national responses
- Defra was considering available responses, to increased risk of Avian influenza or an outbreak.
- Defra are particularly keen to obtain views from stakeholders on the practicality of various possible steps.
- Stakeholders stated that the majority of the free-range birds could be housed very quickly if necessary. However, the housing of birds would generate welfare issues particularly for the free-range broilers. There would be an issue of birds being “stacked-up” in the system.
6 Local risk assessments
- Defra is developing advice on assessing risks at premises where poultry are kept, which stresses the importance of biosecurity.
- The draft document identifies seven broad areas relating to the risk of disease spread on premises.
- Initial views of the group were that the earlier points in the draft document are more relevant to industry and that there needs to be more information on health and safety issues.
- Stakeholders were asked to provide feedback on the draft paper. Are the right questions covered? What changes should be made? How should the document be communicated? Feedback should be provided to David Middleton by close of business Friday 16 September 2005 (david.middleton@defra.gsi.gov.uk).
7 A.O.B
- It was confirmed to the meeting that the Avian influenza survey has now begun.
- It would be useful to have more representation at future meetings from the bird meat sector.
- Request was made for more information on vaccination strategy.
- We would decide when another meeting should take place and who would should attend in light of developments on the issues the meeting had identified.
Defra
12 September 2005
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November 14, 2007 13:36