Many thanks for contacting me in relation to the spread of avian influenza (H5N1).
The UK has faced its largest-ever outbreak of H5N1, which is why the Chief Veterinary Officers for Wales, England and Scotland have advised their respective governments to declare Avian Influenza Prevention Zones (AIPZ) across Great Britain, meaning all bird keeps must take the appropriate biosecurity action to help prevent the spread of disease to a larger number of poultry, wild and domestic birds.
My Welsh Conservative colleagues and I believe that scrupulous biosecurity and hygiene measures, paired with the implementation of a Wales-wide housing order, are the best forms of defence against this issue. This is why, in part, we welcome the Welsh Government’s decision to introduce an all-Wales AIPZ. However, there is scope for the Welsh Government to go further. To successfully combat H5N1, the Welsh Government must become pre-emptive and proactive in their response and in doing so, place Wales under a nationwide housing order.
To adopt such bio-security measures would not just protect poultry this winter, but it would also provide equity between bio-security measures in England and Wales, easing some of the wider issues we’re seeing with the current divergence in bio-security regulations. Indeed, such measures should remain in place until the Chief Veterinary Officers deem it suitable to lift them.
In addition to this, I would also add that the UK Health Security Agency has advised that the risk to public health from the virus is very low, with the Food Standards Agency also reconfirming that H5N1 poses a very low food safety risk to UK consumers; meaning that they believe properly cooked poultry and poultry products, such as eggs, are safe to consume.
In relation to the continuation of shooting, I note that shooting estates are working incredibly closely with the Welsh Government and other partners to ensure that the risk of H5N1 outbreaks is kept at a minimum. The NFU has also provided substantial guidance for shooting activities in an AIPZ, reminding participants that whilst shooting can still occur, it must be done in line with current Welsh Government guidance. In reference to your specific point about shooting and contributions towards food supply chains, I’m afraid that this simply isn’t correct. Many shooting estates actively ensure that game is shot under the proviso that it be consumed or utilised; the narrative that organised shoots don’t contribute towards food supply chains simply isn’t true.
Please be assured that the Welsh Conservatives will continue to press the Welsh Government to take the necessary biosecurity measures to control the spread of H5N1.
Thank you for your correspondence.