The Commission has been informed by the European Union reference laboratory ... that the virus isolated in wild birds in Croatia is indeed the H5N1 virus. |
The establishment of these risk areas will help to define a disaster-free part of the country, which is obviously good for trade purposes. |
The European Commission has so far received no information which suggests the UK authorities have breached the requirements. The UK authorities are still investigating the circumstances in this case and the Commission will wait for the outcome of that investigation to properly assess the situation. |
The Finnish chief veterinary officer said this is not the H5N1 virus. This is a mild, low-pathogenic strain of avian influenza that is commonly found in wild birds. |
The key to this problem is early detection and rapid action. |
The likelihood is that we will have to reintegrate Sweden into the European (testing) regime. |
The likelihood is that we will have to reintegrate Sweden into the European regime. |
The main conclusion of the report is that there appears to be no justification at this time for EU-wide legislation. |
The samples are now expected to arrive at the Community Reference Laboratory late on Friday and so results can only be expected by Saturday afternoon, not before. |
The vaccine may be appropriate in Asia, but our first response would definitely be culls and quarantines, |
The vaccine may be appropriate in Asia, but our first response would definitely be culls and quarantines. |
There are disadvantages if vaccination is not done in a controlled way. Animals that are inadequately vaccinated may contract the virus anyway and continue to spread it. |
There was an extensive discussion on the possibility of the disease spreading into the EU via migratory birds that might pose a risk of spreading the virus. The group concluded that the immediate risk is probably remote or low. |
There will be a discussion on international coordination. |
These import measures ... ensure that poultry products on sale in the EU do not pose a risk for consumers. |