Chamber and committees

Can you say a little bit more about that? Do you mean that there might have been lapses in biosecurity on farms that are part of one farm organisation?

Can you say a little bit more about the lapses in biosecurity that might have taken place on those five farms?

Alasdair Allan asked about different prevention measures. In that regard, has anyone has actively looked for the HPAI virus in outflow water from infected poultry premises and in nearby aquatic environments?

You said that people are not allowed to release pheasants if the birds are carrying the virus and are sick. How is that monitored?

That would be helpful. Thank you.

I am also interested in whether it is possible that wild birds might contract HPAI from infected poultry operations or infected released game birds. I understand that the virus is present in pheasants that are raised in France and that we bring pheasants to Scotland every year and then release them. Is it possible that that could be adding to the pressure of the virus in Scotland?

Good morning. What work have you been doing to gather evidence of farm-to-farm transfer of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Scotland?

Do personnel move from one farm to another?

I would like to pick up on a point that Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn made last week. He questioned why rough shooting should be given special treatment by allowing people to use more dogs than could be used for what he termed as “essential pest control”. I heard your opening statement, minister, but I just want to ask the question. I understand your need to balance the right of people to conduct legal shooting activities against animal welfare, but how would widening the exception for rough shooting, which is a form of hunting for sport, be compatible with the Government’s stated purpose of achieving the highest possible standards of animal welfare?

You say that people are not allowed to release sick birds, but how do we track the behaviour of the people who have pheasants and their decision to release the birds or not?

Stephanie Fraser and Mike Burns want to come in.