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Written question asked by Robert Courts (Conservative) on Thursday, 15 June 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 June 2023. It was answered by Mark Spencer (Conservative) on Friday, 23 June 2023 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Animals and Animal Products: France

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she plans to take steps to suspend the import of (a) animals and (b) animal products from France after the commencement of its avian flu vaccination programme in autumn 2023.

Answer

It is important to note that, according to Great Britain's Notifiable Avian Disease Control Strategy, avian flu vaccination, barring those in licensed English zoos, is currently not permitted for poultry and captive birds. These steps represent our commitment to maintaining animal and public health.

In response to France's commitments on its autumn 2023 avian flu vaccination programme, my department has formed a task force to explore broader vaccination use as a preventive measure against avian influenza.

This group, consisting of Government and industry experts, will formulate potential domestic strategies, with considerations for trade impact and necessary mitigations to prevent trade barriers, potentially including suspension of import of animals and animal products from France. All proposed changes will be backed by robust risk assessments.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
189886
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Animals Animal products Imports France Vaccination Avian influenza
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk