March 17, 2005

 

UK faces increased bird flu risk

 

 

Scotland's poultry industry is being threatened due to lack of control and checks.

 

In the meeting of European Commission officials this week, Darrah and the union emphasized that there should be an increase in environmental and animal welfare costs for Scotland's producers. The Scotland's producers do not face tough controls because their home market is being taken by imports.

 

Darrah said yesterday, "We are getting calls to have stricter regulation in this country, some time we are questioned on scientific grounds, when we import poultry products, the whole system is illegal. This may be called as free trade and not fair trade."

 

There is a threat of disease due to inconsistent approach in EU and Non-EU. However, due to difference in production methods, it is not common here.

 

The production in these countries have been encouraged despite of the differences

 

Darrah and the union are afraid that the EU could also allow US poultry imports into this country, with the meat washed because of high salmonella levels.

 

He said, "The commission needs to be consistent. If it demands the very highest standards from its own producers, and introduces justified measures to protect human health, it must demand nothing less from imported produce."

 

Figures for the first ten months of last year of Customs and Excise figures shows 317,347 tonnes of poultry meat were imported into the UK as compared with 282,704 tonnes over the same period in 2003 and 261,345 tonnes in 2002.

 

Most imports come from within the EU, but an increasing proportion is coming from non-EU countries, almost doubling last year to 60,000 tonnes.

 

Scottish poultry industry produces 125,000 tonnes of meat and 740 million eggs, and is worth £120 million a year.