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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of H5N1 avian flu on the availability of (a) turkeys and (b) geese during in December 2022.

The United Kingdom poultry sector is highly resilient and plays a significant role in the production of high-quality turkeys and geese for our consumers.

The United Kingdom is currently experiencing the largest outbreak of Avian Influenza (AI) with over 200 cases confirmed across the country in poultry and other captive birds since October 2021. During the period 1 ^st-18 ^th October 2022, circa 315,000 turkeys and 17,000 geese have been affected (died and culled) because of AI.

We recognise that these outbreaks are very distressing for the individual turkey and geese farmers and businesses affected. However, the overall impact on food supply is relatively small, with approximately 10 million turkeys and 200,000 geese usually sold in the United Kingdom over the Christmas period.

Defra's objective in tackling any outbreak of Avian Influenza is to eradicate the disease as quickly as possible. Our approach considers the latest ornithological, epidemiological, veterinary and other scientific advice. Where necessary we are also able to declare Avian Influenza Prevention Zones (AIPZ) and mandatory housing measures within AIPZs to limit the spread of the disease.

Effective biosecurity combined with good flock management and husbandry practices is key to ensuring good health and welfare for all farmed animals and to limit the spread and eradication of this disease. Biosecurity guidance and a biosecurity self-assessment checklist have been published by Defra to assist all bird keepers in instigating and maintaining good biosecurity including compliance with the mandatory AIPZ measures.