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Avian Flu

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for repeating the Statement. I also thank his department for its briefing yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately, some of us were unable to be there because we were dealing with the Commons Bill at the same time. This time, avian flu has been found in two species of birds in the United Kingdom. Avian flu is not easily transmitted to humans at present, but, as the Minister said, it is possible that the virus could mutate into new forms, which is of concern. The Government are right to step up their surveillance, albeit somewhat belatedly. The Government cannot tell us whether the virus came from exotic birds in Surinam or in Taiwan, which only reflects how poor their knowledge and, consequently, their present biosecurity arrangements are. Following the recent increase in outbreaks in wild birds, as well as the recent outbreaks in China, where 545 chicks and ducks were destroyed, did the Government increase their surveillance at quarantine centres and ports of entry? It has been suggested that there are huge flaws in our current quarantine system. The Statement speaks of 32 birds that died in quarantine in the UK before 16 October. Was this number of deaths from the one quarantine centre concerned, or from all such centres? Will the Minister tell us more about the arrangements currently in place at Gatwick and Heathrow, where most birds come in? The Government have rightly called for an immediate ban on imports of live birds into the UK. Will the Minister explain why, when an increasing number of birds were found with the disease earlier this year, the Government did not call for an immediate ban then? In fact they did not support a proposal put forward to the European Commission back in May. I would be grateful if the Minister would tell us why not. The Minister has spoken of the measures that will be taken both for large commercial flocks and for what I class the hobby specialists. The Statement speaks of establishing a register of all commercial poultry producers in this country. I find it amazing that this information is not already held, bearing in mind the multitude of forms that farmers have to fill in. Is it true that there is no central list? If not, how do the Government have confidence that, heaven forbid, should the disease break out in our flocks, the biosecurity arrangements would actually work? More worryingly—and the Statement touches on this—is the illegal trade that continues to flourish. How many catches of illegal imports have been made over the past two years, and was the problem highlighted more acutely with imports by air or by sea? We welcome the temporary halt for the ban that has been put in place. I understand it has been the practice that birds going into the quarantine centre have been mixed together, and not held according to country of origin in different batches; and also that the testing of these birds has been taken in an overall way. Why did the Government not alter these arrangements when clearly the number of birds infected with avian flu was so rapidly on the increase? Does that not surely smack of ineptitude, or at least of complacency? Will the Minister tell us how often these quarantine centres are inspected and by whom, and whether they are independently inspected? The Government have claimed that existing disease controls are adequate. Why, then, are they now proposing a review? Can the Minister say whether it is the current regulations they feel are inadequate, or have the existing ones not been properly enforced? Should avian flu come into our commercial flocks, resulting in the culling of birds, how will the carcasses be dealt with? Will it be by burial, burning or other means? In this country we have an enormous amount of free-range flocks. In the Statement it is suggested that these birds could be brought inside, but I am sure the Minister is aware that that will mean big problems for those flock producers because of the welfare problems of overstocking. In such circumstances, will compensation be made available? What other species are the Government concerned about in addition to our bird and poultry-producing concerns? I understand that it is possible for this disease to mutate and enter pigs, and that in Thailand cases have been reported of tiger-cats being infected as well. What reassurances will the Minister give to our UK poultry and egg producers at a time when they are concerned about this outbreak? There is a balance to be struck, and the Statement reflects that. There is a need to alert people to the need for greater biosecurity and greater surveillance while not unduly alarming the community. There are real issues to which we will have to return at a later date. At this time, I hope that the Minister can answer some of my questions.