Minister Visits BPC Goose Producer's Farm

Print this page

Environment Secretary David Miliband chose a visit to Bedfordshire — including British Poultry Council member Franklins of Thorncote — to announce an increase in wild bird surveillance for signs of avian influenza.

More than 300 nature reserves, parks and reservoirs are being added to the list of sites owned by wildlife groups, local authorities and private companies which will be patrolled by their staff who will report dead water birds to Defra.

is no reason to think that any dead birds found at these sites are more likely to have died of avian influenza, but this is a highly efficient way to sample more wild birds and to target our work effectively,” said Mr Miliband.

“This initiative means we are also building more long-term working partnerships with conservation groups, local communities and private industry across the country. Together we may limit the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza.”

Mr Miliband arrived at the Franklins’ farm from the RSPB’s headquarters at nearby Sandy and spent 90 minutes meeting members of the Franklin family, British Poultry Council chief executive Peter Bradnock and other industry leaders, and learning about free range poultry production.

John Franklin and his wife Anna produce 900 geese for Christmas and the flock provided a splendid backdrop for pictures for the media including local press, radio and television. Mr Miliband said he was impressed by the high standard of the farm and the approach to disease precautions — but confessed he normally ate a turkey for Christmas.

Mr Bradnock commented: “Free-range poultry producers, big and small, are aware of the need for good biosecurity on their farms to protect their outdoor flocks from possible disease from wild birds. As part of this, Franklins and other British goose producers are working on a programme for veterinary farm health planning under the Defra Animal Health and Welfare Strategy. This is a small, but important sector acting responsibly in its corner of global poultry production.”

ends

BPC November 2006