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1,338 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Avian InfluenzaOne big challenge we face is that there has not been a break in the disease; traditionally, over the summer period the disease has “gone away” and disappeared. Unfortunately, the…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Avian InfluenzaThat is a good question, and I make the commitment to the hon. Gentleman now that my door is open to colleagues from across the UK and the devolved Administrations to have those…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Avian InfluenzaTo be clear, the rules had not changed on 1 October. They changed last week and we backdated the changes to 1 October, so the kick-in moment for compensation for farmers who sadly…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Avian InfluenzaI can be absolutely categorical: there is absolutely no identified risk to human health. That continues to be monitored. We have the highest levels of food safety available to us.…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Avian InfluenzaThe truth is that it is very difficult. Biosecurity is the best tool available to us, but as the right hon. Gentleman says, the disease continues to spread in wild bird…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Avian InfluenzaAs I said earlier, it is important that members of the public do not interfere with dead birds, as they could inadvertently spread the virus by doing so. It is possible to report…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Avian InfluenzaWe do have adequate resources to deal with the challenges we face. We brought forward the compensation payments, which will lead to earlier payments being made to those being…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Avian InfluenzaWith permission, I would like to make a statement on the Government’s response to the current avian influenza outbreaks. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Avian InfluenzaI am disappointed that the hon. Gentleman has taken that approach and wants to make this a party political issue. Interestingly, Wales, where the Labour party is in control, has…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Avian InfluenzaI acknowledge my hon. Friend’s expertise in this area. The APHA has the resources to deal with this enormous challenge, but we recognise the pressure it is under. We will make…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Avian InfluenzaI thank the hon. Gentleman for his comments and for the co-operation of the Scottish Government. We work very closely at official level and at chief veterinary officer level to…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Avian InfluenzaI, too, have met my right hon. Friend’s constituent Paul Kelly, who made representations to me on behalf of KellyBronze. We have moved the start of compensation to as early as…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Avian InfluenzaWe have full confidence that we have enough vets to deal with this outbreak. Those vets are working long hours with great dedication, but I hear the hon. Lady’s comments about the…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Avian InfluenzaI thank my right hon. Friend for his three questions. First, we have moved the date for the compensation scheme to as early as legally possible, to try to assist farmers with the…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Avian InfluenzaClearly, the housing order came in following the best scientific and veterinary advice that we have, but I cannot reiterate enough the impact that improved biosecurity has on…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Avian InfluenzaMy hon. Friend is right to identify that Norfolk, north Essex and Suffolk are at the epicentre of this and have been under a housing order for some time. Obviously, he has made…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Avian InfluenzaCurrently, we feel as though we have enough resource and are able to get on to farms quickly enough to identify the disease where possible, and that is the moment when…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Avian InfluenzaMy hon. Friend’s experience during the covid pandemic is extensive and valuable to us. My advice to members of the public is not to interfere with those dead birds, not to pick…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Avian InfluenzaThe hon. Gentleman is right to identify that this is not an England-only problem; it is an international challenge and we need to co-operate and work with our international…01 Nov 2022HANSARD Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) BillI beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time. I put on record my sincere thanks to the fantastic officials in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,…31 Oct 2022