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Avian Influenza Outbreak
30 November 2022
Lead MP
John Whittingdale
Maldon
Con
Responding Minister
Mark Spencer
Tags
EmploymentNorthern IrelandAgriculture & Rural Affairs
Word Count: 13698
Other Contributors: 15
At a Glance
John Whittingdale raised concerns about avian influenza outbreak in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
I ask the Government to provide adequate compensation immediately upon identification of the disease and to work towards an effective vaccine as rapidly as possible. The current system is inadequate, with many small producers losing their entire flocks without sufficient compensation.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
I am concerned about the worst avian influenza outbreak on record, with 136 cases of H5N1 identified since October and millions of birds dying or being culled. The disease is affecting wildlife and agriculture significantly, impacting 65 species of wild bird and causing economic hardship for the poultry industry, which employs over 34,000 people and contributes £2 billion to our economy.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
The UK is experiencing its worst outbreak of bird flu, with 2.8 million farm birds having been culled or died in 2022. The rate of spread has been alarming, affecting both wild and farm bird populations. The Government's response has been criticised for being reactive rather than proactive despite early warning signs. A full housing order was implemented on 7 November but some argue it came too late. Concerns remain about the compensation scheme and whether farmers will have confidence to continue in business next year due to financial losses and mental strain.
Cat Smith
Lab
Lancaster and Wyre
I pay tribute to the hon. Gentleman for his contribution on the impact of foot and mouth in Cumbria and expresses concerns about biosecurity measures needing to be followed by devolved Governments while housing birds in England. Paid tribute to poultry farmers facing challenges from labour shortages and avian influenza. Criticised the compensation scheme for not meeting business needs, urged for a UK-wide response on bird housing with devolved nations, inquired about insurance difficulties faced by farmers, highlighted the 16-week grace period issue for free-range egg producers, emphasised the importance of vaccine development and international cooperation. Cat Smith pointed out a contradiction between the approach taken during the human pandemic of COVID-19 and the current handling of avian influenza, calling for more compassion towards Scottish farmers affected by the disease.
Asked for a UK-wide approach on bird flu outbreaks and highlighted five recent outbreaks in his Scottish constituency, expressing concern over potential cross-border issues with Cumbria and other parts of north England. David Duguid asked if there is shared concern over concentrated outbreaks in his constituency, suggesting that housing orders might be necessary even for specific locations.
Graham Jones
Lab
Blackpool North and Cleveleys
Expressed concerns about vaccine development timelines, emphasised the critical role of February for farmers' decisions on Christmas poultry production. Highlighted the impact on food security and farming community's future.
Helen Morgan
Lib Dem
North Shropshire
As a representative with firsthand experience from intensive poultry farms, Helen Morgan highlights the difficulties faced by the farming industry in insuring against avian influenza due to its increasing likelihood and calls for preventive action.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon highlighted the significant impact of avian flu in Strangford and across Northern Ireland, noting that restrictions on poultry movement are now in place. He mentioned a previous cull of 6,000 birds due to an outbreak and emphasized the importance of preventive measures to protect both wildlife and poultry industries. Shannon also discussed compensation issues and suggested that delays can result in little or no compensation being paid to affected farms. Jim Shannon expressed concerns about the inconsistency in policies regarding housing birds across different regions of the UK and suggested that a unified policy would benefit all parties involved. I took the liberty of passing to the Minister's PPS the BEIS request forms on compensation and vaccination. There is an argument that the current compensation system does not adequately respond to the help needed.
Emphasised the need for certainty regarding farm access rules to keep people within the industry. Highlighted the interconnectedness of farmers in different constituencies, such as those in South Ribble with Priti Patel's constituency.
Kevin Foster
Con
Torbay
Paignton zoo, part of the Wild Planet Trust in Kevin Foster's Torbay constituency, suffered a £1 million revenue loss due to an avian flu outbreak. The zoo was closed for 10 days during peak season and required quarantine procedures but avoided mass culling. However, compensation was inadequate at £207, failing to cover significant financial losses. Foster called for revisions in the compensation scheme to address the unique challenges zoos face, such as financial loss and operational disruptions. I am very happy to meet the Minister, perhaps with a representative of the Wild Planet Trust, so that we can go into those areas in more detail.
Neil Hudson
Con
Epping Forest
He paid tribute to those on the frontline dealing with avian influenza and highlighted the need for international collaboration, research into vaccine development, and investment in infrastructure such as the APHA site at Weybridge. He also raised issues around compensation timing and potential use of powers under the Agriculture Act 2020.
Paul Bristow
Con
Southport
Agreed with Cat Smith about the challenges faced by farmers and the need for a coordinated approach to avian influenza. Mentioned concerns over insurance difficulties and raised issues regarding free-range status grace period.
Acknowledged challenges faced by the poultry industry due to avian influenza and raised concerns about resource capacity in responding to incidents. Emphasized the need for adequate compensation mechanisms and effective vaccination solutions.
Priti Patel
Con
Witham
Paid tribute to farmers affected by bird flu, highlighting the significant impact on the Witham constituency. Mentioned that nearly 50,000 birds have died or been culled in Essex, including approximately 7,600 in her own constituency due to the avian influenza outbreak. Raised concerns about lack of clarity regarding business operations and compensation arrangements from DEFRA.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
The MP highlighted issues with compensation for avian flu-affected farms, noting delays in payments despite prompt valuation by APHA. He also criticized the 12-month restocking requirement as unscientific and damaging to small businesses.
Steven Bonnar
SNP
Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
Bonnar expressed concern about the current outbreak of avian influenza in Scotland, highlighting the culling of over 100,000 birds at three farms. He mentioned public concerns over dead birds found in nature reserves and discussed the impact on egg supplies due to supply issues and cost-of-living pressures. Bonnar also emphasized the need for collaboration between DEFRA and Scottish Government.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
The UK is facing the worst outbreak of avian influenza with more than 140 confirmed cases. More than 1.6 million birds have been culled, affecting Christmas trade for farmers. The compensation scheme, dating back to 1981, is inadequate as it compensates only for live birds seen by a vet before culling. The Animal and Plant Health Agency needs improvement based on the Public Accounts Committee's report, which found that the agency has deteriorated and failed in its management.
Government Response
Mark Spencer
Government Response
DEFRA's avian influenza disease control measures aim to minimise the economic burden of the current outbreaks. October saw a massive escalation in the number of cases confirmed with 124 cases in England, nine in Scotland, three in Wales and one in Northern Ireland as of last night. The minister recognised that the poultry industry is under serious pressure and there were significant financial pressures and emotional impacts on producers. Despite the unprecedented scale of the challenge, the APHA is staying on top of it and taking steps to improve the operational and policy response even while the outbreak continues. There have been 158 cases between October 2021 and September 2022 and 26 cases in winter 2020-21. The minister mentioned that there are no plans for underwriting the whole poultry production system but compensation rules were changed to start conversation processes from the moment APHA vets recognise an outbreak of avian influenza. There is ongoing work on defrosted products with proper labelling and signage in stores and online information for customers. The minister suggested extending this scheme to next season giving producers certainty over business planning. Biosecurity is essential against avian influenza, reducing infection risk by 44-fold when done extremely well. Measures legally require birdkeepers to keep birds indoors and follow stringent biosecurity measures. The minister underlined the importance of proper training for all staff and maintaining buildings properly. Future decisions on disease control measures will be based on scientific advice with ongoing work internationally to develop effective vaccines for avian influenza.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.