19/04/06
Recommendations put forward following an independent review of
the UK's avian quarantine system were today largely accepted.
An independent review of the UK's avian quarantine system by a
team chaired by Nigel Dimmock, emeritus professor of virology at
Warwick University last October, put forward 32 recommendations
of which 29 have been accepted or accepted in principle.
Two require further consideration and one has been rejected (see
point 4 in “Notes to Editors” for further details).
Ben Bradshaw, minister for animal health and welfare, said: “Professor
Dimmock's report was thorough and wide-ranging. It provided us
with a challenge – we have now reviewed our procedures and
we have presented a response which we think is workable and proportionate.
“I'm sure tightening the system where it is required will
reassure the public that our quarantine system would be able to
work effectively if imports resume.”
Professor Dimmock's review considered, among other aspects, the
authorisation of premises for holding birds in quarantine and transit,
procedures on importation of birds, the operation of quarantine
premises including biosecurity measures and relevant domestic and
European legislation.
Based on Professor Dimmock's recommendations, Defra will now:-
- Set up closer veterinary supervision and audit of quarantine
by the State Veterinary Service (SVS)
- Create a central SVS IT
system of key data linked to quarantine
- Revise guidance for the
structure and equipment of quarantine facilities
- Introduce management
plans for quarantine operators
- Write a bird welfare code for importers
and quarantine operators
- Enhance laboratory testing of quarantined
birds
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