---

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Answer

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has evaluated on whether wild birds can spread the foot and mouth virus, with particular reference to geese. [218662] Mr. Bradshaw: The Department commissioned and published a risk assessment to consider the risks of importation of contaminated meat and meat products and the subsequent exposure of GB livestock. Several viral pathogens were included in this work, among them Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). As part of this work the risk of transfer and spread of contaminated material, by scavengers (including wild birds), from an infected site to livestock holdings was considered. Foot and mouth disease virus has been recovered from the plumage and feet of birds in contact with affected livestock, however, there is a lack of evidence that birds play a significant role in the spread of the disease. In those cases where wild geese were possibly implicated in 2001 UK outbreak of FMD, other more likely sources were usually found.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

431 c1297-8W;431 c1292W; 218662

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Birds Contamination Disease control Foot and mouth disease Meat products Research Wildlife Wild geese

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk