On this page : Meetings with EDPC and FAnGR

RARE BREEDS DATABASE FOR POULTRY AND OTHER CAPTIVE BIRDS:

Meetings with Exotic Disease Prevention and Control (EDPC) with respect to derogation in the event of an avian influenza outbreak - February 2006

DEFRA has proposed a Rare Breeds database for poultry and other captive birds. The driving force behind such a database is the Avian Influenza Directive 2005/94/EC which was adopted by Member States at the Agriculture Council on 20 December 2005. Although Article 11(2) instructs that all Poultry and other captive birds on a holding confirmed with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) should be slaughtered, Article 13 of the Directive allows possible derogations from this duty to slaughter "in cases of an outbreak of HPAI in a non-commercial holding [pets], a circus, a zoo, a pet bird shop, a wild life park, a fenced area where poultry or other captive birds are kept for scientific purposes or purposes related to the conservation of endangered species or officially registered rare breeds of poultry or other captive birds, provided that such derogations do not endanger disease control. Similar provisions exist for premises infected with the low pathogenic strain of the virus.

"Poultry" means all birds that are reared or kept in captivity for the production of meat or eggs for consumption, the production of other products, for restocking supplies of gamebirds or for the purposes of any breeding programme for the production of these categories of birds.

"Other captive bird" means any bird, other than poultry, that is kept in captivity for any reason (other than those referred to under the definition of poultry above) including those that are kept for shows, races, exhibitions, competitions, breeding or selling.

The position of captive wildfowl in this database was not clear. They were initially included in "Poultry". It has now been indicated that the official Red List for wild species will be used in the event of derogation. To find the Red List, earch for 'waterfowl' onthis page: http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/search-basic

See also http://www.iucnredlist.org/info/organization

DEFRA intends to establish a database for poultry, pigeons, budgerigars, cockatiels and other captive birds so that if HPAI is confirmed on a premise, any birds on a premise that are on the database may potentially benefit from derogation from slaughter, providing such derogations do not jeopardise disease control. This is in fact not especially useful for the majority of waterfowl keepers since any such derogated bird would have to be kept in a situation on a premise which was secure e.g. aviary birds, separately housed. But such a derogation could also apply, for example, to a separate netted area where birds did not show signs of disease. They would be watched rather than culled.

Definition of a 'rare breed' which could be derogated
(a) Must be native domesticated breeds significantly domiciled in the UK. We would expect to primarily cover rare breeds native to the UK. We should consider non-native breeds where there is a scarcity elsewhere in the world.
(b) There should be less than 1000 purebred adult females within the UK.
(c) Must breed true for a significant number of generations. It was felt that a true breed established for just over 50 years would be acceptable for poultry.
(d) Breed must be of inherent genetic merit: they are accepted/recognized by a governing body

It was thought that it would be very difficult to quantify the number of birds. The numbers would vary greatly from year to year. There is a danger at present that many people will not be breeding birds this year, and numbers could fall. That should be borne in mind when drawing up this list.

Identifying rare breeds
Unlike rare breeds of red meat animals, there is no system in place to identify that individual birds belong to a particular breed. In fact, not every keeper of rare birds will necessarily be registered to a breed society. If an outbreak of Avian Influenza occurred on a premise currently there would be no guaranteed method by which Defra's veterinary field officers could verify that rare birds pointed out to them were indeed of a breed on the database unless they were experts on that particular breed.

However, the Chairman stated that it should not be necessary for bird keepers to belong to a particular Association or Club, or to close ring their birds, to benefit from derogation.

What the rare breeds data base should contain
The name, species, breed, description of the breed, its characteristics and example photographs of the breed.

Poultry: DEFRA has been advised by the Poultry Club of GB that most of the information they require to populate the register can be found in their book "British Poultry Standards". This would also provide the various photographs / pictures of poultry that are required.

The BWA has also supplied a list of waterfowl breeds to both the FAnGR and EDPC Committees and is liaising with Victoria Roberts over waterfowl. BWA Waterfowl Standards have also been supplied to DEFRA officials for office use in London and Cardiff.

Standard descriptions and pictures could be used in the field by veterinary officials to identify derogated breeds (when the list is finally drawn up)

Use of the Database
Individual names and addresses from this data base would not be released. There will be no 'joining up' of the data with other government departments. The data will only be used as bulk data for anonymous population studies, and for disease control in the event of Newcastle disease and avian influenza. Being on the data base simply allows faster reaction to as problem, since all poultry owners will be found in the event of an outbreak.

It is possible that the Rare Breeds Data Base at some stage could be integrated into the Poultry Register

Geoff Simm and Mike Roper (DEFRA) Friday 3 February, University of Warwick

In 2002, DEFRA published the UK report on Animal Genetic Resources. This was the UK's official contribution to the FAO's 'First report on the State of the World's Animal genetic resources' to be published in 2007 as part of FAO's Global Strategy.

As a result, it was decided that there should be a National Action Plan (NAP), and that a National Steering Committee should be established. The committee was established in Jan 2004. The primary aim of the committee was to produce this action plan. The plan is to build on the tradition of the private sector and to help enact/balance/join up government policies. This is especially important where animal disease control may conflict with protection; it is particularly apposite now with the global threat of avian influenza

This National Steering Committee is an ad hoc advisory committee which reports to DEFRA. Its aims are to encourage sustainable land use, to act as a forum for stakeholders, to advise on conservation programmes and to liaise with other committees.

Why do Farm Animal Genetic Resources matter?
Our rich diversity of livestock in the UK is part of our national heritage. Also, as a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Rio de Janeiro, 1992, we have an international obligation to conserve such biodiversity.

In addition, the livestock industry plays a vital role in shaping land use and the landscape in the UK; it enhances biodiversity and underpins economic activity, including the food industry and tourism.

In the past, the government was not much involved in genetic resources. It is now taking a leading interest, and the National Action Plan was commissioned for these three reasons:

" Strategic priority: we need a sustainable food supply chain from a diverse platform. The Government should be involved in helping promote sustainable use of resources e.g. use of locally adapted breeds.

" Genetic diversity concerns are to be brought into agricultural policy. We need to know, for example, how government policies impact on livestock diversity. This was seen to be of critical importance after the impact of Foot and Mouth Disease.

" We have international obligations via the Rio convention, FAO Global Strategy, and through the EU Convention for Biological Diversity. FAO operates world wide. The local focal point is countries in the EU, and the UK is currently in the Chair. There is, in fact, a livestock revolution taking place globally. 170 reports are to be submitted in 2007 from 90% of the world's countries.

Key Questions
What and where are FAnGR?
We need to know what we have got - a much better inventory is needed, linked to EU and FAO databases. There should also be better characterization of the breeds. Mainstream and exotic breeds may now be very different from their country of origin and so, for economic reasons and for their genetic diversity, they will be included.

How should we look after and use our FAnGR?
Breeds at risk should be protected. They are best protected by being used; stimulation can be achieved by using niche markets
A cost/benefit study of the FAnGR plan should take into account: Tourism/ Leisure/ Environmental objectives

What can government do?
There is a need for a joined up policy. The NSC should continue as a standing committee to address concerns on animal health. FAnGR to be recognized at all levels of planning e.g. in national scrapie plan
Note: it is important to protect our resources under the Avian Influenza directive.

Comments were sent to DEFRA and Professor Geoff Simm by the BWA and the Poultry Club. It was pointed out that many people had never heard of the NSC for the FAnGR report, and that many will not have heard of it even after the consultation deadline of 17th February. The report will to be sent to the minister by March 2006.
DEFRA is to consider the recommendations. Stakeholders are to be engaged on acceptance and delivery