Following the successful passage through parliament of the Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease (England and Wales) Order 2003, which came into force last month, Defra is today issuing for consultation a draft disease control (slaughter) protocol.

The legislation extends measures introduced in the Animal Health Act 2002 to the two poultry diseases, including the power to slaughter poultry to prevent the spread of the disease.

However, the new powers cannot be used unless the protocol has been published and vaccination has first been considered to halt the spread of the disease.

Formal contingency plans covering both poultry diseases will be laid in Parliament in due course and will be reviewed annually

To read the consultation document, please click here (PDF format, 20kb)

Source: DEFRA - 7th August 2003