Written question asked by Bill Wiggin (Conservative) on Monday, 7 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 November 2005. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 November 2005 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Avian Influenza

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under what circumstances the Government will pay for the testing of poultry for avian influenza.

Answer: All imported poultry must be accompanied by a health certificate, as laid down in EU legislation. The health certificate contains an official statement confirming that the birds are healthy and the premises and area of origin are free from avian influenza. Poultry is not required to be tested prior to export to the UK.Where samples are taken from poultry for the purposes of ascertaining if those poultry are infected with the avian influenza virus, the tests carried out in the official laboratory are not charged directly to the owner of the poultry. Similarly, for any poultry that dies within 14 days of arrival the cost of testing for avian influenza would be borne by the Government.

Secondary information