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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Bird flu firm gets compensation | Bird flu firm gets compensation |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Bernard Matthews will get £589,000 compensation for the birds compulsorily slaughtered 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. |
| 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 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. |
| The company said it always maintained biosecurity standards, and had taken steps to enhance measures. | |
| The Conservatives have criticised the decision to award compensation. | |
| Meat importation | Meat importation |
| Commons leader Jack Straw has also said MPs are 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 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 risk | Low risk |
| In response to the report, Bernard Matthews said it had "undertaken rigorous internal investigations and audits" in the wake of the outbreak. | |
| This episode reflects the need for constant vigilance Ben BradshawAnimal Health Minister | This episode reflects the need for constant vigilance Ben BradshawAnimal Health Minister |
| Commenting on the findings, Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds said: "Most potential routes of infection are controlled through current procedures. | |
| "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. |
| Commons debate | |
| 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. |
| 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." |
| 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." | 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." |
| Insufficient evidence | |
| 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". | 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. |