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Avian influenza detected in Alaska
White and red chickens
The USDA has advised all farmers and companies involved in poultry production to review their protocols for cleaning and security.

H5N2 found in US for the first time in 14 months

A devastating strain of avian influenza has been found in Alaska, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed. The news has prompted poultry farmers to review their protocols.

On Friday, the USDA announced that it had detected the H5N2 strain of the disease in a wild duck as part of surveillance testing.  According to news agency Reuters, the strain has not been seen in any poultry or wild birds in the USA since June 2015.

In light of the discovery, the USDA has advised all farmers and companies involved in poultry production to review their protocols for cleaning and security to ensure the health of their birds.

While birds can transmit the virus to poultry through their feathers or faeces, the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the risk of infection to the general public to be low.

In 2015, the US Department of Agriculture confirmed the presence of avian influenza in wild birds in Whatcom County, Washington.

Reuters say the outbreak cost poultry exporters millions of dollars in lost business as trading partners limited deals from states and countries with infected flocks.

The outbreak also led to the death of about 50 million US chickens and turkeys and sent egg prices to record highs. 

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.