Avian Influenza
During the debate following the Secretary of State's statment on avian flu, Philip Dunne calls for rare breeds breeding farms to be included in the vaccination programme should the disease spread.
Mr. Philip Dunne (Ludlow) (Con): The Secretary of State said that the vaccination programme was applicable to zoos. Will he consider whether farms with rare breeds breeding stock could also be included in that programme? I have a number of such farms in my constituency. Should the dreadful disease spread, it would pose a considerable threat to the future of rare breeds in this country.
Hilary Benn: I gladly undertake to consider that-but there are good and sound reasons, which I have explained, why the policy is as it is. Zoos are an exception because of biosecurity and the containment arrangements that they can put in place. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would want nothing to be done that might put the control of avian influenza at risk. However, I shall consider the issue that he has raised and come back to him.
