Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps is her Department taking to inform domestic owners of bird flocks of compliance with any new Housing Orders to stop the spread of Avian Flu.

To assist all bird keepers in instigating and maintaining good biosecurity including compliance with the mandatory Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) housing measures currently in force in England Defra have published biosecurity guidance available at Bird flu (avian influenza): how to prevent it and stop it spreading - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) and Bird flu (avian influenza): housing your birds safely - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Defra and its delivery agency for disease control the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) utilise a range of communication channels to reach and inform domestic owners of bird flocks of this guidance and the latest situation and disease control measures, including, the use of social media, posters, radio adverts, podcasts, and video content. In addition to text and emails email alerts for those on the poultry register and those who have signed up to APHA disease alert subscription service.

Defra also issue national, local and trade press releases to make sure the latest information is communicated through the media. In addition to this we keen a rolling gov.uk news story with live updates as new advice and cases emerge. During the avian influenza outbreak the UK Chief Veterinary Officer has regularly been interviewed about the avian influenza situation and advice by journalists from multiple national news outlets. Defra spokespeople have also undertaken interviews with regional television and radio broadcasters from a range of channels across the country to raise awareness of the disease control measures that are in force.

Defra regularly meets with representatives of the Local Authority National Animal Health and Welfare Panel to review and refine the approach to guidance and the enforcement of disease prevention and controls. Government is also working closely with key stakeholders including commercial, small scale, pet and specialist bird keepers, together with ornithological, veterinary, wildlife rehabilitation sector representatives, to communicate developments and reiterate the importance of biosecurity.