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

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the identification of a case of avian influenza in a sheep in Yorkshire, what assessment they have made of the risk of transmission to other livestock, and the risk to human health.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Influenza of avian origin (H5N1) has been detected in a sheep in England, following routine surveillance of co-located livestock on a premises where highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 had been confirmed in other captive birds. To mitigate the risk of further disease spread the affected birds and the infected ewe have been humanely culled. Further official testing of the remaining flock of sheep was all negative for the presence of avian influenza virus. Surveillance in the disease control zones in force in the area surrounding these premises will be undertaken, and these zones will remain in force until all disease control and surveillance activities have been successfully completed.

While this is the first time avian influenza virus has been detected in a sheep, it is not the first time influenza of avian origin has been detected in livestock in other countries. Whist we remain vigilant for any changes in risk, there is no evidence to suggest an increased risk to the nation's livestock population.

In response to the unprecedented global outbreak of HPAI H5N1 in recent years, the UK's avian influenza national reference laboratory has increased its surveillance for avian influenza virus in mammals and genome analysis of the virus itself. The case definition for influenza of avian origin has been updated and provides guidance for animal keepers and veterinary professionals on how and when to report suspicion in mammals. Additional information on how we monitor influenza of avian origin in wild mammals and how the public can report suspicion is available via GOV.UK/birdflu.

Following this detection, the Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance group have carried out a risk assessment, and assessed the probability of infection with influenza of avian origin from lactating livestock as very low for the general population and low for individuals interacting with infected lactating livestock.

While risk levels remain low, keepers are encouraged to maintain strict biosecurity in order to protect the health and welfare of their animals.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government how the passenger and freight trains on East West Rail will be powered.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

At the recent non-statutory consultation, EWR Co confirmed their preference for discontinuous electrification to power passenger services once the full route is open from the mid-2030s. The rolling stock used for freight services will be a matter for freight operators to decide.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the identification of a case of avian influenza in a sheep in Yorkshire, what action they have taken to introduce additional monitoring of livestock to detect other cases of avian influenza crossing the species barrier.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Influenza of avian origin (H5N1) has been detected in a sheep in England, following routine surveillance of co-located livestock on a premises where highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 had been confirmed in other captive birds. To mitigate the risk of further disease spread the affected birds and the infected ewe have been humanely culled. Further official testing of the remaining flock of sheep was all negative for the presence of avian influenza virus. Surveillance in the disease control zones in force in the area surrounding these premises will be undertaken, and these zones will remain in force until all disease control and surveillance activities have been successfully completed.

While this is the first time avian influenza virus has been detected in a sheep, it is not the first time influenza of avian origin has been detected in livestock in other countries. Whist we remain vigilant for any changes in risk, there is no evidence to suggest an increased risk to the nation's livestock population.

In response to the unprecedented global outbreak of HPAI H5N1 in recent years, the UK's avian influenza national reference laboratory has increased its surveillance for avian influenza virus in mammals and genome analysis of the virus itself. The case definition for influenza of avian origin has been updated and provides guidance for animal keepers and veterinary professionals on how and when to report suspicion in mammals. Additional information on how we monitor influenza of avian origin in wild mammals and how the public can report suspicion is available via GOV.UK/birdflu.

Following this detection, the Human Animal Infections and Risk Surveillance group have carried out a risk assessment, and assessed the probability of infection with influenza of avian origin from lactating livestock as very low for the general population and low for individuals interacting with infected lactating livestock.

While risk levels remain low, keepers are encouraged to maintain strict biosecurity in order to protect the health and welfare of their animals.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many passengers they expect to travel between Oxford and Cambridge each day on East West Rail.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

EWR Co are continuing to model forecast passenger numbers and are working with the Government to understand overall trends.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many freight trains they expect to use East West Rail per day.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The current scope of EWR enables up to two new freight train paths per day per direction from Felixstowe, routed via Cambridge, through to Oxford and beyond, and around two new freight train paths per day from Southampton, routed via Oxford, Bletchley and onto the West Coast Main Line. Other enhancements on the network would be required for freight to exceed these levels.

Found: Lord Krebs: I declare two interests.

Found: present: Baroness Sheehan (The Chair); Lord Ashcombe; Lord Duncan of Springbank; Lord Jay of Ewelme; Lord Krebs

Found: present: Baroness Sheehan (The Chair); Lord Ashcombe; Lord Duncan of Springbank; Lord Jay of Ewelme; Lord Krebs

Found: present: Baroness Sheehan (The Chair); Lord Ashcombe; Lord Duncan of Springbank; Lord Jay of Ewelme; Lord Krebs

Found: Members present: Baroness Sheehan (The Chair); Lord Duncan of Springbank; Lord Jay of Ewelme; Lord Krebs

Found: present: Baroness Sheehan (The Chair); Lord Ashcombe; Lord Duncan of Springbank; Lord Jay of Ewelme; Lord Krebs

Found: present: Baroness Sheehan (The Chair); Lord Ashcombe; Lord Duncan of Springbank; Lord Jay of Ewelme; Lord Krebs

Found: present: Baroness Sheehan (The Chair); Lord Ashcombe; Lord Duncan of Springbank; Lord Jay of Ewelme; Lord Krebs

Found: I shall bring in Lord Krebs then go to the second part of my question.

Found: present: Baroness Sheehan (The Chair); Lord Ashcombe; Lord Duncan of Springbank; Lord Jay of Ewelme; Lord Krebs

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