Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, to the Convener 24 November 2021
Dear Finlay
I am writing to let you know that the UK is seeing a recurrence of avian influenza with 17 confirmed cases (15 in England, one in Wales and one in Scotland as at 24 November 2021) of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 being confirmed in domestic birds.
The Scottish case of HPAI H5N1 was in Angus in a small, backyard flock and the required 3 km Protection Zone (PZ) and 10 km Surveillance Zone (SZ) were introduced immediately around the infected premises. As this was H5N1, a 10 km Restricted Zone (RZ) was also introduced, but this had the same extent as the SZ, with no further measures. The site is now depopulated and is undergoing cleansing and disinfection. The PZ and RZ declaration is expected to be revoked and will become part of the SZ on 26 November.
HPAI has also been confirmed in 144 wild bird carcases throughout the UK (with six birds at five different locations across Scotland, between Dumfries and Tayside), and at least 15 different bird species, as part of GB wild bird surveillance.
In light of the high number of recent findings of avian influenza in wild birds, a risk assessment was carried out to assess the risk of poultry and captive bird exposure to HPAI H5 across Great Britain. The risk of incursion of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 infection in wild birds has been increased from HIGH (occurs often) to VERY HIGH (event occurs almost certainly). The risk of poultry and captive bird exposure to HPAI H5 across Great Britain has been increased from MEDIUM (with medium uncertainty) to HIGH (with low uncertainty) where biosecurity is sub-optimal, and has increased from LOW (with medium uncertainty) to MEDIUM (with low uncertainty) where stringent biosecurity measures are applied.
In light of this risk assessment, from 00:01 am on 29 November, following advice from the Scottish and other UK CVOs, Scottish Ministers have agreed to strengthen the biosecurity requirements of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ), to require housing of all poultry and captive birds, which means that will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers in that area to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.
This current outbreak has begun a few weeks earlier than last year and the updated risk assessment demonstrates a regional variation in terms of risk. Housing birds for long periods of time can have impacts on their welfare and the early introduction of housing measures may also mean that they remain in place beyond 16 weeks, which will mean free range egg producers will not be able to market their eggs as free range. This is why housing measures have been introduced now and not earlier, as the scientific evidence available has been weighed up against any welfare or regulatory impacts.
With the UK no longer free from avian influenza under the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) rules, we have lost of OIE disease freedom for avian influenza and there are some restrictions on exports of affected commodities to third countries. Trade in poultry and poultry related products with third countries that do not require whole UK avian influenza country freedom may continue on the basis of the conditions included in the export health certificates, unless otherwise notified by the importing country.
The Scottish Government will continue to work with its operational partners in Scotland and across the rest of the UK to keep poultry and other captive bird owners informed about the measures they can take. Messages are regularly issued to poultry keepers by text message as well as through social media.
Due to the threat of avian influenza from wild birds, it is possible there will be more cases found in poultry in Scotland, despite the introduction of the mandatory biosecurity measures in the AIPZ.
I appreciate that such news will be disappointing to all members of the Committee, as it is to me. It does appear as though H5N1 is becoming part of the annual cycle for poultry and other captive bird owners and hopefully in response to that, they will maintain increased biosecurity at all times throughout the year.
I am sure you will appreciate that any suspicion of a notifiable disease, such as avian influenza, should be reported immediately to the local Animal and Plant Health Agency office in Perth on 03000 600 704.
Needless to say, should you have any questions, officials will be happy to answer these. In the first instance, you should contact Sheila Voas, Chief Veterinary Officer Scotland.
Mairi Gougeon