To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations he has received on animal welfare problems associated with intensive broiler chicken production; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations he has received on animal welfare problems associated with intensive broiler chicken production; and if he will make a statement.

(2) how many holdings are registered on the GB Poultry Register in the avian influenza (a) protection zone, (b) surveillance zone and (c) restricted zone; and how many free range holdings there are in each zone;

(2) how many holdings are registered on the GB Poultry Register in the avian influenza (a) protection zone, (b) surveillance zone and (c) restricted zone; and how many free range holdings there are in each zone;

(3) how many (a) poultry and (b) free range poultry are registered on the GB Poultry Register in each county;

(3) how many (a) poultry and (b) free range poultry are registered on the GB Poultry Register in each county;

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many poultry are registered on the GB Poultry Register in the avian influenza (a) protection zone, (b) surveillance zone and (c) restricted zone; and how many free range poultry there are in each zone;

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many poultry are registered on the GB Poultry Register in the avian influenza (a) protection zone, (b) surveillance zone and (c) restricted zone; and how many free range poultry there are in each zone;

(4) how many (a) holdings and (b) free range holdings are registered on the GB Poultry Register in each county.

(4) how many (a) holdings and (b) free range holdings are registered on the GB Poultry Register in each county.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many mobile gassing units are available to cull poultry; and what the slaughter capacity is of each.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many mobile gassing units are available to cull poultry; and what the slaughter capacity is of each.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what changes he proposes to make in respect of the rules and regulations for keeping and breeding ducks for human consumption; what assessment he has made of the welfare of ducks being so bred; and if he will...

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what changes he proposes to make in respect of the rules and regulations for keeping and breeding ducks for human consumption; what assessment he has made of the welfare of ducks being so bred; and if he will...

I will gladly do that. We all have a responsibility, particularly at times like this, both to take the right action to deal with disease outbreaks and to reinforce the point that those industries are extremely important to the country, to exports and to the livelihood of the people who...

I will gladly do that. We all have a responsibility, particularly at times like this, both to take the right action to deal with disease outbreaks and to reinforce the point that those industries are extremely important to the country, to exports and to the livelihood of the people who...

The Secretary of State has made it clear that if poultry is properly prepared and cooked there is no danger to human health from eating it—but this is a vital time for the poultry sector. Will he talk to colleagues and the wider industry to promote the case for poultry...

The Secretary of State has made it clear that if poultry is properly prepared and cooked there is no danger to human health from eating it—but this is a vital time for the poultry sector. Will he talk to colleagues and the wider industry to promote the case for poultry...

Statement on an outbreak of avian influenza.

Statement on an outbreak of avian influenza.

I am happy to give the hon. Gentleman those assurances—in that the lorries will be escorted: there will be vehicles behind them to make sure that they are not leaking, and they will be checked before they go. The carcasses that went to Frome during the foot and mouth outbreak...

I am happy to give the hon. Gentleman those assurances—in that the lorries will be escorted: there will be vehicles behind them to make sure that they are not leaking, and they will be checked before they go. The carcasses that went to Frome during the foot and mouth outbreak...

As it is essential that there should be public confidence in how the disease is tackled, and as we all know that there is no situation that is not made worse by panic, will the Secretary of State assure the House that the lorries taking the carcases to Staffordshire will...

As it is essential that there should be public confidence in how the disease is tackled, and as we all know that there is no situation that is not made worse by panic, will the Secretary of State assure the House that the lorries taking the carcases to Staffordshire will...

That, too, is an important point. We have done a range of things, some of which I have already described, to inform Members of Parliament, who are an important source of information down the line to constituents. We have introduced the helpline, the website and the news releases and notified...

That, too, is an important point. We have done a range of things, some of which I have already described, to inform Members of Parliament, who are an important source of information down the line to constituents. We have introduced the helpline, the website and the news releases and notified...

The Secretary of State is aware that I represent Mid-Norfolk. Sadly, over the past 10 years we have had, directly or indirectly, the impact of foot and mouth, swine fever, avian flu once, and now avian flu again and bluetongue. One of the things that I have learned from that—and...

The Secretary of State is aware that I represent Mid-Norfolk. Sadly, over the past 10 years we have had, directly or indirectly, the impact of foot and mouth, swine fever, avian flu once, and now avian flu again and bluetongue. One of the things that I have learned from that—and...

I gladly undertake to consider that—but there are good and sound reasons, which I have explained, why the policy is as it is. Zoos are an exception because of biosecurity and the containment arrangements that they can put in place. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would want nothing...

I gladly undertake to consider that—but there are good and sound reasons, which I have explained, why the policy is as it is. Zoos are an exception because of biosecurity and the containment arrangements that they can put in place. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would want nothing...

The Secretary of State said that the vaccination programme was applicable to zoos. Will he consider whether farms with rare breeds breeding stock could also be included in that programme? I have a number of such farms in my constituency. Should the dreadful disease spread, it would pose a considerable...

The Secretary of State said that the vaccination programme was applicable to zoos. Will he consider whether farms with rare breeds breeding stock could also be included in that programme? I have a number of such farms in my constituency. Should the dreadful disease spread, it would pose a considerable...

The hon. Gentleman makes an important point. If it transpired that wild birds were responsible—that is an ““if””, because we do not yet know—that would be a difficult source of transmission to deal with. I am extremely grateful for the support of the devolved Administrations in agreeing, in respect of...

The hon. Gentleman makes an important point. If it transpired that wild birds were responsible—that is an ““if””, because we do not yet know—that would be a difficult source of transmission to deal with. I am extremely grateful for the support of the devolved Administrations in agreeing, in respect of...

I welcome the precautionary approach taken by the Secretary of State. I support the call for vigilance and agree that the disease is difficult to catch other than through close and prolonged contact with infected birds. The problem is on the Suffolk-Norfolk border, but the movement of wild birds cannot...

I welcome the precautionary approach taken by the Secretary of State. I support the call for vigilance and agree that the disease is difficult to catch other than through close and prolonged contact with infected birds. The problem is on the Suffolk-Norfolk border, but the movement of wild birds cannot...

The hon. Gentleman raises an important question. By definition, we do not know how many birds are not covered, because they are not on the register. The arrangements are those that I set out a moment ago. As I understand it, when the poultry register was first established, consideration was...

The hon. Gentleman raises an important question. By definition, we do not know how many birds are not covered, because they are not on the register. The arrangements are those that I set out a moment ago. As I understand it, when the poultry register was first established, consideration was...