To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what contingency planning his Department is undertaking to be able to respond effectively in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza in the UK; (137622)

My Department has robust and tested disease control plans and instructions in place to address an outbreak of avian influenza. These are set out in our Exotic Animal Disease Generic Contingency Plan. The plans and procedures are kept under close review.

The latest Contingency Plan for Exotic Animal Diseases was laid before Parliament on 13 December 2006. The plan was used effectively and successfully in partnership with operational bodies and interested parties to deal with the recent outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in Suffolk.

We are also continuing to work with interested parties to learn lessons from that outbreak to ensure we remain fully prepared for any future outbreak. A report will be published in the autumn.