DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (News Release ref
:206/07) issued by The Government News Network on 6 July 2007
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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