Tighter controls urged after bird flu case BreakingNews.ie_8293

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The Government was today urged to implement tighter controls at airports and ports to prevent the spread of bird flu, after a parrot which died in quarantine in the UK was found to have the disease.
The Labour Party’s agriculture spokeswoman Mary Upton said the discovery of an infected bird in Britain was a serious development for Ireland, given the free movement between the the two countries.
She called on the Government to strengthen checks at port and airports, and urged Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan to seek agreement on an EU-wide ban on the importation of wild birds while the threat remained.
“I acknowledge the steps that the Government has taken so far,You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login, but additional measures are required, including more effective checks at points of entry,You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login, particularly of those coming from areas where outbreaks of avian flu have been confirmed.
“It is also absolutely reckless to continue to allow the importation of wild birds while the threat remains. An EU ban is now absolutely essential.
“It is now very clear that along with other Western European countries, Ireland is facing real danger from the rapid spread westwards of avian flu with the consequent risk of an avian flu pandemic that could have potentially catastrophic consequences for the human population.
“Every precaution possible must be taken to prevent it from reaching our shores,” the Labour spokeswoman said.
The UK’s first case of bird flu was undergoing further tests today to see if the parrot involved contained the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus which can be lethal to humans.
Britain’s Department for Environment,You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed yesterday that a form of the “highly pathogenic” H5 virus had been found in a bird being held in UK quarantine.
The parrot, which was imported from South America,You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login, arrived in this country last month and died a couple of days ago.
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Tighter controls urged after bird flu case You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login