Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
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Updated response to Dimmock Review published
Defra has today published an updated response to the Dimmock report into quarantine procedures for captive birds.
This independent report was published in December 2005 and the Government's response, in April 2006, accepted the majority of the report's recommendations.
Today's updated response indicates that all of the recommendations have now been met as far as possible, given the current restrictions on bird imports.
Considerable action has been taken by Defra in response to the Dimmock report, including a comprehensive review of wildlife disease surveillance and new research into the origin and development of avian influenza in chickens, ducks and turkeys.
In addition, in response to the report Defra has developed new systems which will be put in place in the event that quarantine establishments are approved in the UK (there are currently none):
* Creation of a welfare code for importers and quarantine operators
* Revised guidance for the structure and equipment of quarantine facilities
* Closer veterinary supervision and audit of quarantine facilities by Animal Health
* Introduction of management plans for quarantine operators
* Creation of a central Animal Health IT database with key information linked to quarantine
Chief Veterinary Officer, Debby Reynolds, said:
"Since the publication of Professor Dimmock's report we have been reviewing our procedures. We have considerably tightened and improved our systems to ensure that they are rigorous and effective."
The publication of the updated response comes as a new EU regulation came into force on Sunday 1 July which sets out the conditions for the import of birds other than poultry.
Included within this regulation is a ban on commercial imports of wild-caught birds and a requirement for captive-bred birds to come only from approved establishments in a list of countries with high avian health status and reliable veterinary services. In addition, the regulation sets out a specified list of approved quarantine establishments in the EU - there are currently none in the UK.
Notes to Editors
1. The Government's updated response to the Dimmock report can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/control/avianquarantine/index.htm
2. The new EU Regulation can be found at http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2007/l_084/l_08420070324en00070029.pdf
3. Following a case of avian influenza in a quarantine premises in Essex in October 2005, the Secretary of State announced an independent review of avian quarantine procedures for captive birds on 26 October 2005.
a) This review, led by Professor Nigel Dimmock, emeritus professor of virology at Warwick University, was set up to examine quarantine arrangements and procedures, and make recommendations on any changes needed in order to ensure that the quarantine regime is as secure as possible in light of the evolving disease situation.
b) The report was published on 15 December 2005 and made 32 recommendations for changes to the quarantine regime. The Dimmock report can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/control/avianquarantine/independentreview/index.htm
c) Defra's original response can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/control/avianquarantine/gov-strategy/index.htm
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