Written question asked by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Bach (Labour) on Wednesday, 11 January 2006.

Avian Quarantine

Question: Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Bach on 13 December (WA 146) stating that current instructions do not require that every bird that dies is sent for examination for notifiable disease, whether this Answer replaces the Answer given in the House of Commons on 12 December by the Minister for Local Environment, Marine and Animal Welfare, Mr Ben Bradshaw (Official Report, House of Commons, 1586W) stating that all birds which die in quarantine must be submitted to the Veterinary Laboratory Agency for investigation for Newcastle Disease and avian influenza; and, if so, what are the reasons for this change in policy.

Answer: There has not been a change in policy. Instructions to the State Veterinary Service (SVS) state that all birds which die in quarantine must be sent to the Veterinary Laboratory Agency (VLA) for investigation for notifiable disease. However the Answer given in the House of Commons on 12 December did not detail the exceptions to this rule. In the cases where there is high mortality in a large consignment of small birds, sampling may be limited to a representative number.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 3061; 677 c54WA
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Avian Flu
Tuesday, 13 December 2005
Written questions
House of Lords; Avian Influenza
Monday, 12 December 2005
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Birds Death Diseases Imports Quarantine Testing Veterinary Laboratories Agency
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk