With reference to Mr Martin Vella’s letter Being prepared (TMID, 25 October), the Food and Veterinary Regulation Division within the Rural Affairs and the Environment Ministry would like to remind the reader that the contingency plan sets out the structures and systems that would be implemented in the eventuality of an outbreak of disease.

The plan is soundly based in the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Malta. It reflects the importance of a close partnership with those who would be involved in an outbreak, including farmers who share the responsibility for preventing the spread of disease. The plan is a living document and its constant revision provides a valuable opportunity to review, revise and update the arrangements.

The plan consists of a number of measures including the preliminary investigation (the initial epidemiological enquiry, movement restrictions, clinical inspection, public health issues, post mortem examinations, killing for diagnosis, collection and dispatch of samples, reports and action pending laboratory results).

In the confirmation of Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu, various measures are undertaken such as the killing of the animals in the infected holding in a humane manner, disposal of carcasses, destruction of material, further epidemiological enquiries, cleaning and disinfection, preventive killing, the establishment of protection and surveillance zones and the repopulation of the infected holding.

Various scenarios are included in the contingency plan such as an outbreak in a slaughterhouse and the measures to be taken.

The simulation was evaluating not only the response time, which is fundamental in an outbreak, but the various above-mentioned measures which are described in detail in the contingency plan.

Measures have always been taken such as regular inspections on farms, movement permits, animal welfare inspections, inspections at hatcheries and slaughterhouses. Additional measures were the issuing of information on what the symptoms of Bird Flu are; biosecurity measures which have to be taken at farm level such as hygiene; monitoring of the duck population on the island; close cooperation with Birdlife Malta and hunting organisations such as FKNK in the collection of samples; regular contact with customs at the Airport, port and Freeport and other entities; standard operating procedures for hunters in handling birds; modification and approval by the European Commission of the surveillance programme for Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu in poultry flocks and migratory wild birds.

Malta has been closely monitoring the situation in the affected areas and borders have been closed in line with the European Commission’s decisions. One has to remember that animals and products of animal origin and products not fit for human consumption coming in from Third Countries are subjected to rigorous controls through the Border Inspections Posts present in the airport, port and freeport (approved by the European Commission). Transshipments are also checked through the manifests, thus ensuring that no products are coming in from affected areas.

One also has to remember that measures and decisions such as those for hunting are based on sound scientific measures and Malta, like all other member states, is following the scientific advice being provided by experts.

It has to be pointed out that there is no justification for the implementation of unilateral decisions. However, in the absence of any EU directive for a hunting ban, information has been forwarded to all hunters to ensure proper and safe handling of wild birds. It must be also stated that hunters, like many other stakeholders, have been very cooperative and comprehensive of the government’s initiatives in the best interests of public health and the local poultry sector.

For clarification’s sake, it must be stated that since the day when the letter was written, it was also announced that the tests carried out in Greece have proved negative.

In cases like these, the government can only do its utmost to be in the best position to enforce and act in case of an emergency. However, much depends also on the general public’s cooperation, and this was highlighted further in the registration scheme that is being done on a voluntary basis.

On a positive note, it must be stressed that this cooperation is forthcoming and it strengthens the government’s confidence in improving upon its defences and its state of preparedness in the eventuality of an outbreak of avian influenza on our shores.

Dr Mireille Vella,

Director

Food and Veterinary Regulations Division

Rural Affairs and the Environment