Animal Welfare

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd – in the Senedd at 2:50 pm on 15 December 2021.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 2:50, 15 December 2021

Thank you very much. I can hear a dog joining in the oral answered questions today. You're quite right; we have had a significant outbreak of avian influenza across Great Britain. I mentioned in an earlier answer that we're now up to 52 incidents; we have three in Wales. We did bring in mandatory housing of birds at the end of last month. We are consistently assessing the impact. I know the chief veterinary officers right across the UK meet—I think every evening they're meeting at the moment. It's having a significant impact on veterinary capacity. So, I would urge all people in Wales who keep birds to register. At the moment, you only have to register if you have a certain number of birds, but I think it's very important; even if you only have one, please register, because then you will be assured of receiving up-to-date information as we get it. It happened very early this winter. We have avian influenza most winters unfortunately. It's brought on often by wild birds, but, unfortunately, it started much earlier and it is really significant at the current time. I've just brought in what we call a 'lite emergency control centre' in Cathays Park. It's just a virtual one at the moment to support the office of the chief veterinary officer because, clearly, it is having a massive impact on our workforce resources here in Wales.