Stakeholder Meetings
Minutes of Avian Influenza Industry Stakeholders' Meeting - Monday, December 5th, 2005 at 10:30 am
<Back to Stakeholder Meetings>
SEERAD
Ian Anderson (chair)
Debbie King
Joe Kirk
Brian Logan
Derek McIntosh
Charles Milne
Neil Ritchie
Present
Dennis Surgenor - SEPRA
David Harrower - Grampian Chickens
Michael Darrah - Deans Foods - observer for BEIC
Peter Loggie - NFUS
John Campbell - Glenrath Farms Ltd
Bill Stanley - Aviagen
Tom Young - COSLA
Barti Synge - SAC
Charlie McManus - PD Hook (Scotland) Ltd
Steve Mitchell - Joseph Mitchell (Letham) Ltd
Apologies
Apologies were received from Kevin Smith and Dan Pearson, both from Grampian Country Foods.
1. Introduction
1.1 Ian Anderson (IA) welcomed stakeholders to the meeting to have an open and frank discussion on the current avian influenza situation from the industry perspective.
2. Current Situation
2.1 Charles Milne (CM) gave a presentation on the current situation. He confirmed that the global disease situation was not currently changing. While H5N1 has been identified in SE Asia and Russia over the last couple of years, concern has been heightened by the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in domestic poultry in Turkey and Romania and in wild birds in Croatia. There has been limited spread of disease from these outbreaks which shows the disease can be controlled. HPAI had been found in a UK quarantine centre but was successfully isolated, the incident provided useful evidence that the transmissibility of the disease is low where good biosecurity is in place.
2.2 Wild birds were previously only thought to carry Low Pathogenic strains of avian influenza but circumstantial evidence would suggest they can also carry HPAI. However the risk to the UK remains low. The migration route which passes through the UK is the East Atlantic flyway and there is no evidence of this being infected. Turkey, Romania and Croatia are on a different flyway. Risk will increase during spring migration when some birds on the East Atlantic Flyway will have mixed in Africa with birds from other flyways.
2.3 A number of surveillance initiatives have been introduced to monitor both domestic and wild birds. This surveillance is three strand including: an ongoing EU-based survey of domestic poultry which is now in its third year and this year identified its first case of LPAI; wild bird sampling of netted and shot birds which has sampled over 700 birds without a positive result although it is thought likely LPAI will be detected at some stage [1]; and sampling of mass die-offs which includes a helpline for the public to report bird mortalities - again all samples have been negative so far.
2.4 In response to the global spread of disease the EU has introduced a range of measures. Bird gatherings are banned except under licence subject to veterinary risk assessment. SEERAD are currently licensing captive bird shows including show pigeons, however pigeon racing is currently under review until suitable biosecurity arrangements are identified. The sale of birds is not permitted. There is a ban on the import of captive birds from non- EU countries. Powers are available to require keepers to feed and water poultry and captive birds indoors. Powers are also available to vaccinate susceptible animals in zoos. Lastly, a GB-wide poultry database is currently being set up.
2.5 A national movement ban will be implemented in the event of an outbreak. General licences will be available and are being considered. The intention is to allow movements from non infected premises of hatching eggs to hatcheries, point of lay pullets to production sites and broilers and spent hens to slaughter.
3. Biosecurity
3.1 Neil Ritchie (NR) gave an overview of work being done to promote biosecurity. A key issue is to minimising contact with wild birds. SEERAD are currently working on practical guidance on the housing of birds. There are a number of guidance documents available and SEERAD have a number of mechanisms for publicising this information which includes working closely with industry. The real issue is to maximise awareness amongst poultry keepers of sensible precautions they can take and how to spot signs of disease. It is important keepers know what to do if they suspect disease and to enable them to plan for the possibility of disease being confirmed.
3.2 Barti Synge (BS) reported on the programme of seminars SEERAD has commissioned SAC to deliver across Scotland which are designed to provide practical advice on avian influenza and on promoting good biosecurity. The seminars concentrate on disease history, spread, clinical signs, the surveillance programmes and practical biosecurity measures. The human health aspect is also considered and put into context. The meetings have been well received although producers have highlighted concerns over health scares resulting in reduced sales. IA confirmed anyone can attend these meetings.
3.3 In terms of the issues discussed at the seminars, SEERAD are working hard to make the distinction between public health and animal health to help achieve balanced media coverage. Ross Finnie, Minister for Environment and Rural Development, made a statement recently in the Scottish Parliament, alongside the Health Minister, Andy Kerr, to help make the distinction between the animal and human health issues.
3.4 NR asked the stakeholders to identify any gaps in the SEERAD plans so that they might be plugged. No immediate areas were identified.
4. Avian Influenza / Newcastle Disease Contingency Plan
4.1 NR reported that the Contingency Plan had been published in October 2005 and sets out what would happen if an outbreak of avian influenza / Newcastle Disease in domestic poultry were confirmed. The key message is a rigorous and robust response to stamp the disease out as quickly as possible.
4.2 The plan will be adapted to encompass emerging conclusions from expert working groups, for example if the evidence that wild birds could carry HPAI became available. If HPAI were to be found in wild birds there will be an expectation to house domestic poultry, lifting this requirement as soon as the epidemiological situation allows. The housing of birds would affect the free range industry, however there is an exemption whereby free range status for eggs can be retained where the birds are housed on veterinary advice (discussions are currently underway at the European level to extend this derogation to broiler production and organic eggs and meat). Surveillance will be enhanced and a group of ornithological experts would be convened to provide advice. There will be an expectation of heightened biosecurity around the area of the wild birds and domestic poultry will be subject to movement restrictions in order to reduce the potential chances of disease transmission. If found in domestic poultry, an additional requirement will be imposed to stop poultry movement except when licensed.
4.3 At present vaccination is not considered a practical disease control tool for the commercial poultry industry. Current vaccination does not prevent the bird from becoming infected but rather reduces its ability to shed virus. Vaccination would only be implemented where the science is right and there is a credible exit strategy.
4.4 Charlie McManus sought clarification on the operational restrictions that would be imposed on hatcheries within the Protection Zone in the event of an outbreak. CM confirmed that if eggs had been sourced from an Infected Premises the hatchery would be classed as a Dangerous Contact and would be closed until dangerous material had been removed and the hatchery cleansed and disinfected. IA queried whether it was possible to identify which eggs had been sourced from the Infected Premises and which had not. Action point: Charlie McManus to clarify ability to identify materials at hatchery which originated at the Infected Premises.
4.5 Debbie King (DK) confirmed that the Avian Influenza Directive is due to be adopted on 20 December 2005. The Directive provides the framework for the entire disease control process and will guide industry as to how they will have to operate during an outbreak. It was agreed that industry needs to understand the requirements and some of the practical issues may require discussion between industry and SEERAD. IA agreed that it would be useful to arrange a meeting to discuss in the new year, prior to the spring migration, and requested industry to consider some of the scenarios they would like to discuss in advance.
Action point: Arrange meeting in the new year with industry to discuss the Avian Influenza Directive.
4.6 DK presented on occupational and public health issues confirming them to be important and attracting much media attention. There is work being conducted by SVS, the Health Department, and employers with regard their obligation to employee Health & Safety. The Contingency Plan outlines Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for poultry workers and guidelines are due to be published by Health Protection Scotland which will outline the process for distribution of anti-virals. This medication is designed to reduce the chance of genetic re-assortment of human flu with avian flu, which could lead to a human pandemic. DK stressed that employers should be aware of PPE so they can make suitable provision for their workers under Health and Safety requirements. DK accepted this to be a difficult management issue but asked industry to continue planning and to approach us for advice.
4.7 John Campbell (JC) highlighted the need to manage the media and get necessary messages across without risk of scaremongering. It was agreed that it was vital to manage the media and that much damage could be done if we failed in this area. Working closely with industry will help to manage the situation.
5. Poultry Database
5.1 NR gave an overview of the Poultry Database which builds on the existing voluntary system. The database will be GB-wide and mandatory for all commercial flocks of 50 or more specified birds. The commercial significance of the data is recognised and as such will be held confidentially. The data will be used to enhance SEERADs understanding of the industry and support risk analysis and any disease control response. There was a concern from stakeholders that backyard flocks of less than 50 birds are not included on the database.
Action point: Consider, with other administrations across GB, to record flocks of less than 50 birds, once the database is established.
6. AOB
6.1 Bill Stanley asked if there was a proposal to conduct an exercise to test readiness for a disease outbreak. DM confirmed an exercise was planned for early 2006.
Summary of Action Points
Action point 1: Charlie McManus to clarify ability to identify materials at hatchery which originated at the Infected Premises.
Action point 2: Arrange meeting in the new year with industry to discuss the Avian Influenza Directive.
Action point 3: Consider, with other administrations across GB, to record flocks of less than 50 birds, once the database is established.
[1] Since the meeting a mallard duck shot in West Lothian has been identified as carrying H6N2 avian influenza. This is a low pathogenic form of avian influenza.
<top of page>