To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (i) to outline what plans his Department has to develop a highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds response plan for Northern Ireland, as recommended by the United Nations Convention on Migratory Species Scientific Task Force on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in wild birds; and (ii) to provide a timescale for the delivery of such a response plan.

Many of the key constituent parts of a HPAI response plan for wild birds are and have been in place: targeted carcass collection and testing, consistent messaging and advice, and scoping of surveillance and population data evidence needs. Building population resilience has to date been focused through the development of a NI Seabird Conservation Strategy, reflecting HPAI impacts on breeding seabirds over the summer.

The inherent mobility of wild birds limits the range of actions that can be usefully taken, but officials are assessing further options in relation to additional biosecurity measures that may benefit wild bird populations.

While all these actions are ongoing, there is currently no timescale to develop a formal response plan for HPAI in wild birds.