Stakeholder Meetings
Minutes of Poultry Industry Stakeholders Meeting - Monday, 27 February 2006 at 2:00 pm
Present
Ian Anderson SEERAD
Debbie King SEERAD
Brian Logan SEERAD
Charles Milne SEERAD
Neil Ritchie SEERAD
Charles Russell SEERAD
Gerry Smith SEERAD
George Hogarth Aviagen
Bill Stanley Aviagen
Dennis Surgenor SEPRA SEPRA
Dan Pearson Grampian Country Foods Ltd
Steve Mitchell Mitchells Chickens
John Campbell Glenrath Farms
Charles McManus PD Hook Ltd
Peter Loggie NFU Scotland
Michael Darrah Deans Foods / BEIC
Mike Flynn SSPCA
Tom Young COSLA
John Moffat COSLA
Introduction
1. Ian Anderson (IA) welcomed stakeholders to the meeting to provide an update on developments and progress made since the previous meeting held in December.
Update on situation
2. Charles Milne (CM) confirmed that the H5N1 virus had been identified in a number of EU countries over the last two weeks, primarily in wild birds. A single poultry holding in France had been confirmed and subsequently culled out. There continues to be strong circumstantial evidence that wild birds are transmitting the disease. It is recognised there is now an increased risk to the UK but we are not at high risk at this stage. The situation is kept under constant review.
Action Point 1: SEERAD to inform group of the latest position in France with regards movements and trade restrictions.
3. As a result of recent developments, surveillance measures have been further increased with single deaths of swans being investigated along with single deaths of ducks in parts of England. It was noted that people had experienced difficulties with the public helpline. Neil Ritchie (NR) confirmed there had been difficulties with the GB-wide helpline due to a sudden increase in calls and confirmed that the issues had been addressed.
Action Point 2: SEERAD undertook to clarify with COSLA and SSPCA the remit of the helpline number.
4. CM confirmed that France and Holland were using preventative vaccination but for a number of reasons, including the current vaccines' inability to offer complete protection, the UK would not be considering this at this stage. CM confirmed that we do have a stock of vaccine for zoo birds and are negotiating to develop a vaccine bank.
5. NR confirmed that a biosecurity leaflet designed to signpost people to what information is available was published last week and distributed to all who have signed up to the poultry register.
6. NR reported that The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommends poultry workers be classed a priority group for seasonal influenza vaccination. NR confirmed that the current plans are to make the vaccine available to workers from the beginning of the next 'flu season in October of this year. Industry were asked to alert SEERAD if they would prefer the vaccine to be available for the tail end of this 'flu season. There was all round agreement that we would have to ensure the communications were right with poultry workers prior to embarking on a vaccination campaign to ensure a good take-up.
7. On the housing of birds, IA confirmed that birds would be brought indoors by law should there be a disease outbreak. The advice at present is that free range status for meat and eggs would be retained for up to 12 weeks where birds are ordered indoors.
Action Point 3: SEERAD to send the group details of the organic status announcement made on Friday 24 February and generally clarify the situation with regard organics.
8. Stakeholders queried if there had been a shift in policy on compensation due to the nature of the disease. It was also queried if compensation would be paid on birds that are culled in order to house flocks humanely.
Action Point 4: SEERAD to confirm position on compensation.
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EU Avian Influenza Directive
9. NR provided an overview of the new avian influenza EU Directive which was agreed on 20 December 2005. The Directive is helpful in terms of the response to HPAI as it broadly mirrors the old Directive but picks up on lessons learnt from recent disease control situations and allows for greater flexibility on the basis of veterinary risk assessment. The most innovative area is the required response to LPAI where the Infected Premises must be depopulated and movement restrictions observed within a 1 km perimeter, the objective being to limit the chance of a mutation into HPAI.
10. The avian influenza Directive must be transposed into domestic legislation by July 2007 but the UK is aiming for completion by this summer. As such SEERAD intend to go to consultation as quickly as possible and are currently working on completion of a good first draft of the legislation with the aim of streamlining further down the process. It was confirmed that the standard consultation period is 12 weeks but this may be reduced under the circumstances. The group were supportive of the possibility of a shortened time-frame for comments on proposed legislation.
Action Point 5: Stakeholders to comment on transposition arrangements and flag up any major issues as soon as possible.
11. Dan Pearson asked for clarification on what veterinary risk assessment considerations would be taken with regard to hatcheries in the event of a disease outbreak.
Action Point 6: CM to discuss veterinary advice with Grampian Country Foods and Aviagen.
AOB
12. Stakeholders queried how SEERAD would ensure media have informed and accurate information. IA explained that media interest was coming in peaks and troughs which can make it more difficult to manage. In the event of a disease outbreak our communication plans have been beefed up in light of the lessons learnt from the FMD outbreak of 2001. A Press Officer would be located on the ground to support the local effort and co-ordinate responses with the Press Office based at HQ. A consistent message is vital and industry should feel free to approach SEERAD should they wish to discuss a media issue.
13. Concerns were raised over the public perception of the safety of poultry products. SEERAD confirmed that they are working with FSA to get the right message out and that FSA are considering releasing a proactive message.
Summary of Action Points
Action Point 1: SEERAD to inform group of the latest position in France with regards movements and trade restrictions.
Action Point 2: SEERAD undertook to clarify with COSLA and SSPCA the remit of the helpline number.
Action Point 3: SEERAD to send the group details of the organic status announcement made on Friday 24 February and generally clarify the situation with regard organics.
Action Point 4: SEERAD to confirm position on compensation.
Action Point 5: Stakeholders to comment on transposition arrangements and flag up any major issues as soon as possible.
Action Point 6: CM to discuss veterinary advice with Grampian Country Foods and Aviagen.
ERAD - AHW
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