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Bird flu firm gets compensation Bird flu firm gets compensation
(20 minutes later)
Bernard Matthews will get £589,000 compensation for the birds compulsorily killed to prevent the spread of bird flu, Defra has said. Bernard Matthews will get £589,000 compensation for the birds compulsorily slaughtered to prevent the spread of bird flu, Defra has said.
Cases of the highly virulent H5N1 strain of the disease were discovered on a farm owned by Bernard Matthews in Suffolk in February. More than 160,000 birds were killed after an outbreak of the virulent H5N1 strain of the disease on a farm owned by the firm in Suffolk in February.
More than 160,000 of the company's birds were slaughtered. Commons leader Jack Straw said MPs were uncomfortable at the "high levels of compensation" awarded to the company.
The payout for healthy birds killed was announced in Defra's final epidemiology report into the avian flu outbreak. The Conservatives have called for prosecutions over the outbreak.
Meat importationMeat importation
The payout for healthy birds killed was announced in Defra's final epidemiology report into the avian flu outbreak.
Officials say compensation is provided under the Animal Health Act 1981 to encourage early reporting of bird flu to minimise the spread of the disease.Officials say compensation is provided under the Animal Health Act 1981 to encourage early reporting of bird flu to minimise the spread of the disease.
If the disease is allowed to spread it would cost taxpayers much more, they add.If the disease is allowed to spread it would cost taxpayers much more, they add.
The report analyses all the possible ways the virus could have arrived at the farm in Holton.The report analyses all the possible ways the virus could have arrived at the farm in Holton.
No specific proven source has been found but the reports says the most likely explanation is that the infection came from the importation of turkey meat from Hungary.No specific proven source has been found but the reports says the most likely explanation is that the infection came from the importation of turkey meat from Hungary.
Low riskLow risk
Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds said: "Most potential routes of infection are controlled through current procedures.Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds said: "Most potential routes of infection are controlled through current procedures.
This episode reflects the need for constant vigilance Ben BradshawAnimal Health MinisterThis episode reflects the need for constant vigilance Ben BradshawAnimal Health Minister
"However, the outbreak in Suffolk appears to be the outcome of a series of normally low probability events and circumstances which cumulatively led to the introduction of disease.""However, the outbreak in Suffolk appears to be the outcome of a series of normally low probability events and circumstances which cumulatively led to the introduction of disease."
She said the report was an important part of increasing the understanding of bird flu.She said the report was an important part of increasing the understanding of bird flu.
There was a continuous low level risk of the introduction of avian flu to the UK, she added.There was a continuous low level risk of the introduction of avian flu to the UK, she added.
The National Emergency Epidemiology Group produced the report in consultation with the European Commission and Hungarian authorities.The National Emergency Epidemiology Group produced the report in consultation with the European Commission and Hungarian authorities.
Biosecurity standardsBiosecurity standards
Animal Health Minister Ben Bradshaw praised what he described as a "comprehensive report".Animal Health Minister Ben Bradshaw praised what he described as a "comprehensive report".
He said: "Although we cannot be sure how the outbreak happened, this episode reflects the need for constant vigilance, high levels of biosecurity and robust and well-developed contingency planning in dealing with animal disease outbreaks."He said: "Although we cannot be sure how the outbreak happened, this episode reflects the need for constant vigilance, high levels of biosecurity and robust and well-developed contingency planning in dealing with animal disease outbreaks."
In response to the report, Bernard Matthews said it had "undertaken rigorous internal investigations and audits" in the wake of the outbreak.In response to the report, Bernard Matthews said it had "undertaken rigorous internal investigations and audits" in the wake of the outbreak.
The company added that it had always maintained biosecurity standards, and had already taken precautionary measures to enhance measures.The company added that it had always maintained biosecurity standards, and had already taken precautionary measures to enhance measures.
'Serious breach''Serious breach'
Conservatives have criticised the decision to award compensation to Bernard Matthews. Mr Straw said in the Commons: "Of course we'll look for an opportunity to debate this, and all of us are uncomfortable about the reports of high levels of compensation paid to Mr Matthews' firm."
Shadow Environment Secretary Peter Ainsworth told the Commons that many people would be "astonished" that no-one was being prosecuted for what he called a "serious breach of biosecurity." Conservatives have criticised the decision to award the compensation.
Shadow Environment Secretary Peter Ainsworth told the Commons that many people would be "astonished" that no-one was being prosecuted for what he called a "serious breach of biosecurity".
He said it was time to look again at the rules covering the import of poultry meat.He said it was time to look again at the rules covering the import of poultry meat.
Junior Environment Minister Barry Gardiner responded that the government had been praised for its handling of the outbreak, including by the former Conservative Agriculture Minister John Gummer.Junior Environment Minister Barry Gardiner responded that the government had been praised for its handling of the outbreak, including by the former Conservative Agriculture Minister John Gummer.
A report on the lessons learned from the outbreak will be released later this year.A report on the lessons learned from the outbreak will be released later this year.
Following an investigation the Food Standards Agency has said there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of a conviction.Following an investigation the Food Standards Agency has said there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of a conviction.