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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the risk of Newcastle disease in the UK; what advice he is giving to reduce such a risk; and if he will make a statement.

Newcastle Disease is a serious notifiable disease in poultry and other birds, and so Defra monitors this disease globally.

There is a continuous low background risk of any notifiable avian disease in the domestic poultry sector in the UK from our indigenous wild bird populations that carry various Newcastle disease viruses. The risk of Newcastle Disease to UK poultry is currently low, particularly so where good biosecurity is practiced by those keeping poultry and other birds. The latest risk assessment is available on gov.uk: www.gov.uk/government/publications/newcastle-disease-in-sweden

Guidance is available to all keepers on gov.uk, including how to spot disease and how to prevent it through the use of good biosecurity. This includes vaccinating birds against the disease, for which a local vet should be consulted, and guarding against the potential for spread by ensuring premises and vehicles are cleansed thoroughly.