The highly pathogenic strain of Avian Influenza has been confirmed at a commercial poultry premises near Langwathby in Dr Neil Hudson MP’s Penrith and The Border constituency, meaning all poultry on the site will be culled humanely.
Strict disease control measures are now in place surrounding the premises.
Dr Hudson is liaising with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Ministers and Officials on the situation and today met the NFU National Poultry Board to support all concerned.
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
“First and foremost, my thoughts and prayers go to everyone on the frontline impacted by this, and all Avian Influenza outbreaks. Having worked as a veterinary inspector during the 2001 Foot and Mouth Crisis, I know first-hand just how harrowing these tragic events can be for everyone involved.
“I was deeply saddened to hear that the Animal and Plant Health Agency had confirmed that the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain has struck a farm here in rural Eden as I know just how crippling the disease is for our agri-food businesses, consumers and our wider rural communities. I am liaising directly with DEFRA Ministers and Officials about this situation and today met with the NFU National Poultry Board to discuss support measures for affected farmers. I will be working hard to see that poultry producers in Cumbria are properly assisted to deal with the outbreak. I look forward to continue working with Government so that common sense, evidence-based policies can be put in place to support our farmers and protect the nation’s biosecurity.”
Dr Hudson is the only vet in the House of Commons and a strong advocate for both Cumbrian farming communities and the UK’s animal disease infrastructure. He has worked hard to better support farmers facing animal disease outbreaks and to bolster the country’s defences against future animal diseases.
Recently, with Avian Influenza devastating wild and kept bird populations, the Penrith MP triggered an urgent Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee Inquiry into the outbreak which saw him quiz poultry bosses and animal disease specialists. Dr Hudson engaged with these experts on a range of issues such as consumer price increases, businesses facing closure and the mental health impacts of disease outbreaks.
Dr Hudson then spoke out in support of British poultry producers in an urgent parliamentary debate calling for a wide range of Government action such as developing a vaccine at pace, compensating farmers sooner in the cull process and review the ‘free-range’ classification so that UK farmers are not penalised.
On top of this, the Penrith MP has long fought for the Animal and Plant Health Agency to be bolstered by DEFRA, with the organisation’s main site needing major redevelopment. See here for more: www.neilhudson.org.uk/news/penrith-mp-urges-government-back-animal-health-infrastructure
For APHA information on the situation in Eden, visit:
For more information on requirements in the Protection and Surveillance Zones, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-avian-influenza-latest-situation-in-england#latest-situation
