Agenda item

(To receive a report from Mark Keal, Trading Standards Manager, which provides a review of the response to the avian influenza outbreak in Lincolnshire during 2021-22 by the Safer Communities-Trading Standards Service)

The Committee considered a report from Mark Keal Trading Standards Officer, which provided a review of the response to the Avian influenza outbreak in Lincolnshire during 2021/22 by the Safter Communities Trading Standards Service.  Barbara Ward, Principal Trading Standards Officer, was also in attendance for this item.

The Committee also received a presentation on Trading Standards Animal Health and Welfare Enforcement in Lincolnshire, which provided the Committee with information relating to:

·       Priority areas for Trading Standards which included disease control, animal by-products, high risk activities and animal welfare;

·       The local authority’s responsibilities in relation to the animal health and welfare framework, which included the animal health and welfare activity plan for 2021/22; details of inspections undertaken, which included 51 visits and revisits to 23 of the 25 premises identified in the activity plan and 44 visits in response to complaints or where officers were visiting for other matters;

·       Some photographs were also shown of animals being kept in unsuitable/suitable conditions;

·       Enforcement and Licensing.  The Committee was advised for 2021/22 there had been 564 complaints, which were broken down into the following categories: 199 abattoir referrals – welfare and identification; 67 Avian influenza – loose birds and housing; 59 animal welfare; 17 animal by-products – deadstock; and 72 movement restrictions; and

·       Other areas of animal health and welfare activity, which included intelligence gathering, emergency planning and working to national priorities.

During consideration of this item, the Committee raised some of the following comments:

·       Training of Trading Standards officers dealing with welfare issues.  The Committee was advised that training was given and that some of officers were ex-veterinary nurses;

·       Avian flu, and the need for birds to be kept secure. The Committee was advised that trading standards had regularly issued communications through the media and social media promoting the requirement to keep birds inside and take measures to ensure biosecurity.  It was noted that once owners were aware of the implications, measures were put into place.  Officers confirmed that there had been no Avian flu prosecutions;

·       Once clear of Avian flu, when could an owner introduce new stock.  The Committee was advised that this matter was a matter for Animal Plant Health Agency. It was however highlighted that it was a long process, and that no-one had yet re-stocked following the Avian flu outbreak.  It was reported that 1.2 million birds had been disposed of, at either rendering or incineration facilities approved for the disposal of diseased animals.  Confirmation was also given that the culling of birds was overseen by the Animal Plant Health Agency;

·       Confirmation was given that contingency plans were in place with partners to deal with such outbreaks;

·       The implication of losing in the region of 210 officer days from frontline service delivery because of Avian flu.  The Committee was advised that there had been delays to programmed inspection work and on-going investigations, which staff were working to recover;

·       The potential of the Avian flu virus mutating to humans.  It was reported that there were concerns as several strains had mutated and affected humans.  The Committee noted that there had been one case of a transmission to a human, not in Lincolnshire.  The Committee was advised that relevant controls were in place;

·       Why Lincolnshire had experienced the highest number of cases of Avian flu (15 in total).  It was noted that this was mainly due to poor virus biosecurity, i.e., access by wild birds, or by people transmitting the disease, as a result of biosecurity not being as robust as it could have been, causing cross contamination; and

·       That further information was needed relating to animal health and welfare, to include the importing of cats and dogs from abroad, and the training and development of staff.

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee extended thanks to officers for their presentation.

RESOLVED

1.      That the report concerning Avian Influenza outbreaks in Lincolnshire 2021/22 and the presentation on Animal Health and Welfare Enforcement in Lincolnshire 2021/22 be received and that the comments raised by the Committee be noted.

2.      That a further update on Animal Health and Welfare Enforcement, be received by the Committee in six months’ time.