Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border and the only vet in the House of Commons, stood up in Parliament for Cumbrian farmers in his constituency following the tragic confirmation of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza on a poultry premises in his constituency in Eden, Cumbria this week.
The Penrith MP, the only vet in the Commons, has been calling for farmers to be better supported financially during the often-harrowing cull process and put his concerns to the Farming Minister during Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Questions on Thursday.
Following recently confirmed cases of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain in Eden, Dr Hudson has been working with Government Ministers and Officials as well as farming bodies such as the NFU’s National Poultry Board to support all those affected.
Strict disease control measures are still in place for a large area in Penrith and The Border.
Speaking afterwards, Dr Neil Hudson MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
“For poultry farmers and keepers of birds in Eden, recent news of Avian Influenza locally will have hit them hard. I know first-hand from my experiences as a vet in the Foot and Mouth Crisis that these disease outbreaks turn lives and livelihoods upside down overnight.
“I hope the Government’s first priority will be protecting farming businesses and the wonderful rural communities they underpin. As such I’m urging Ministers to keep support and compensation measures under regular review. I look forward to working collaboratively with officials on the issue moving forward and I thank the Minister for his considered response.”
This is the most recent development in Dr Hudson’s work in response to the Avian Influenza outbreak and the UK’s preparedness for future animal disease events. He has already brought forward an urgent parliamentary inquiry into the issue, worked closely with ministers, officials and farmers as well as given detailed parliamentary speeches for colleagues.
Bolstering the UK’s animal disease infrastructure is one of Dr Hudson’s top priorities following a report from the Public Accounts Committee highlighting the need to redevelop the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s headquarters in Weybridge, Surrey.
Further information:
The full exchange in Parliament:
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, asked:
“Sadly the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza has been confirmed this week on a poultry premises in Eden, in my constituency. My thoughts and prayers are with those affected and across the country as well. Will my Right Hon. Friend join me in thanking everyone in the frontline, vets and APHA [Animal and Plant Health Agency] officials involved in tackling this crisis?
“Can the Government reassure farmers and producers that they are keeping the Avian Influenza support and compensation measures constantly under review as we navigate this crisis?”
Mark Spencer, Minister of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries, replied:
“Can I join my Hon. Friend in paying tribute to those people that are working on Avian Flu, including the Chief Vet who was recognised in the New Year's Honours List. But also to assure him that we continue to talk to industry; we continue to work with them to make sure that farmers can be profitable and confident their businesses will succeed next year.”
