I thank the Cabinet Secretary for bringing this statement. As she has just said, maybe we, as politicians, can’t be of assistance directly in dealing with this disease, but it is important that we discuss it so that that disseminates a strong message from the Government on the prevention zone and on food security, which is still the case in Wales. That message should be conveyed strongly.

May I take this opportunity to thank the Cabinet Secretary and, through her, her staff and the chief veterinary officer for working over the Christmas period, and for being available for local councils too, of course, to co-ordinate issues related to this disease and the need for close collaboration with other Governments over the ensuing period? As has just been mentioned, this sector is important to the Welsh economy. We tend to think, perhaps, about meat, lamb and beef, but it is 6 per cent of agricultural GDP emerging from the poultry sector, and that is worth something in the region of £100 million. So, it is important that the message is conveyed strongly that our food is safe and that appropriate steps are being taken to deal with the disease and to prevent the spread of it.

Most of the questions have already been asked and answered, if truth be told, but I do have a few specific questions just so that I can have some clarity on these issues. We’ve already discussed free-range poultry, or whatever you want to use in Welsh for free range, but it is a very important sector for Wales and I think it’s more important for Wales than it is for England, if truth be told. I think after some 12 weeks there is a risk that the category or designation of free-range eggs may be lost because the poultry are kept indoors, and it is possible that free-range egg producers may be ill-prepared for keeping poultry indoors for a long period of time. That could have an impact on animal health in those circumstances. So, what specific steps are being taken in this area to ensure that the sector can be safeguarded, because there will be demand for produce from this sector and we must ensure that the sector is able to survive any impact brought about by this disease?

The second question specifically emerges from the statement that you made on 20 December when, at that point, you mentioned the fact that there was no prevention on gathering some birds together—pigeons and caged birds, for example. Although the only show that I was aware of had been postponed, it is still possible, under the current restrictions, I believe, that those who keep pigeons and doves can continue to meet. Have you reviewed that, given that it seems that the disease has spread in Wales, in both north and south Wales now?

The final question is: although you have been very clear on the messages that you have conveyed as Cabinet Secretary, we’re all aware that the press in Wales doesn’t perhaps fully report Welsh political issues. So, are you confident in your own mind that all poultry keepers in Wales, including those under the threshold for statutory registration, are fully aware of the status of Wales in relation to this disease and are fully aware of the biosecurity measures that need to be taken to prevent the spread of this disease?