Written question asked by Baroness Byford (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Bach (Labour) on Monday, 14 November 2005.

Poultry Farms

Question: How many commercial poultry farmers there are in England; and why, according to the statement by the Lord Bach on avian flu on 26 October (Official Report, cols. 1203–6), no register is currently held.

Answer: Defra census data for June 2004 indicates that there were 5,536 registered holdings that have poultry as their predominant agricultural activity.Individual registers held by Defra, NFU and individual poultry organisations have been in use for some time for particular purposes and species. There is now clearly a need for a consolidated register that holds a wider range of information, including those that hold minor bird species not previously registered and smaller numbers of birds. To address this, the first GB poultry register for all commercial flocks of 50 or more birds is currently being developed by Defra, under the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) Regulations 2005.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 675 c125-6WA; 2098
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Avian Flu
Wednesday, 26 October 2005
Parliamentary proceedings
House of Lords
Subjects: Farmers Poultry Staff Livestock industry Registration
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk