Edwin Poots
South Belfast · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I call Mr Eóin Tennyson. Again, this is Mr Tennyson's first opportunity to speak as a private Member, so I remind the House that it is convention that a maiden speech be made without interruption. However, if you choose to express views that provoke an interruption, you are likely to forfeit that protection.”
“Sorry — Ms Armstrong. My apologies. <BR /> <BR />That the Assembly could, in some way, get that money out when it is a UK Government responsibility. The UK Government have distributed it directly in Scotland and Wales, not through the Welsh Parliament and not through the Scottish Parliament.”
“I have not got time; I am sorry. <BR /> <BR />Ursula von der Leyen, who was in the Republic last week, made some of the most ridiculous claims about the British Government, who have supported Ukraine in a way that no other Government in Europe have and who have never engaged in the activity that was suggested by Ursula von der Leyen.”
“Today, a lot of statements have been made but there has not been a lot of fact behind a lot of what has been said. We have Michelle O'Neill, who walked out of her role as Health Minister — not for six months but for three years — and abandoned her position when we had Bengoa and there were all the problems with nursing that led to the str…”
“I need to deal with the issues first. <BR /> <BR />He referred to the Budget that he produced. No party supported that Budget. The Alliance Party did not support it, because it did not cover policing and prisons. Infrastructure did not support it, because it would not allow it to do the basics of what had to be done.”
“We had a circumstance where Sinn Féin repeated, month after month after month, that there were hundreds of millions to give to the public when that did not exist and when, in reality, Minister Murphy was racking up debt that will roll into next year, which will ensure that that will be a difficult financial year.”
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“We are directed by statute. The wild bird population is the responsibility of the landowner. If somebody owns a lake, for example, the responsibility lies with that individual. If the land is owned by a council, it is that council's responsibility. If the land is owned by Forest Service, it is for Forest Service. If the land is in a country park, it is for the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA). Those are the people who are responsible for the welfare of the animals on their site and the disposal of dead animals from the site. I understand, for example, that some councils have vets to assist them, which is positive.”
“Were we to have really cold weather conditions, that would help, but those have not arrived just yet.”
“Therefore, it is for everyone to hold the ropes and take up that pressure to ensure that all the right steps are taken so that loss does not occur in their flock, they provide the best biosecurity for their flock, and, consequently, the spread of the disease will be limited. <BR /> <BR />It is evident that the disease is common among the wild bird population. We do not have the ability to do what we did with COVID and engage in the isolation or lockdown of wild birds, so we cannot stop the spread in that way, and neither do we have a vaccine with which we could go out and vaccinate that wild bird population. It will have to spread to the point at which it stops spreading in the wild bird population. Our view is that it will be prevalent over the next three or four months.”
“Our officials will provide advice. We do not have the staff to go around and check that everybody is following it to the letter of the law, but, where there is evidence that individuals are not being as particular as they might be, our staff will call. However, it is really up to each individual because there is a loss here for each individual who is involved. Let us be very clear: nobody will profit or gain from their birds getting avian influenza. There will a loss for everyone involved.”
“I spoke to George Eustice last week about the situation, and my officials are in regular contact with all the Administrations. That communication is important so that everybody pulls in the same direction to ensure that we have the right response.”
“I thank the Member for the question. Our Veterinary Service is pretty stretched with all this and is using up considerable resource in responding to the disease. There will be a demand for that resource for at least the next three to four months. So, our staff will be under significant pressure, particularly with the control zones being put in place. The monitoring of those control zones and all the movements that take place within them, which is extensive, will involve considerable work. <BR /> <BR />Along with that, it is important that we have as much information shared as possible. The sharing of information between ourselves and the councils is important. We are also sharing information with other Administrations, be they in the Republic of Ireland or Great Britain.”
“<BR /> <BR />The best message that I can give to people is this: we will support you insofar as we can, but the best thing that you can do is to support yourself with high-quality biosecurity.”
“The process is directed by the law on notifiable diseases. We do not have the ability to offer support beyond the culling and the compensation for the cost of the birds. That makes it all the more important that everybody works together to reduce the impact of the disease. <BR /> <BR />You can be very sure that the disease is in the environment, and it could be in the environment around your poultry flock, be that backyard or commercial. If the birds are secure inside, it is down to each individual to ensure that they do not carry that disease in from outside or allow someone or something else to carry it inside. In most cases, good biosecurity should mean that you avoid the spread of the bird flu. Where biosecurity is poor, you are leaving yourself vulnerable.”
“However, where people have high levels of biosecurity and still get the disease, we want to fully compensate them.”
“This is a highly pathogenic strain of the disease, which makes it a notifiable disease. As such, the Department is responsible for culling, and compensation for the livestock is available. There is not compensation for loss of trade or business for the period that you will not be able to have your house filled with birds. Therefore, it is incumbent on flock owners to ensure that they take all those biosecurity measures; if they get that disease, it will cause a financial loss to them. We will pick up the pieces in terms of the culling and the compensation for the birds, but there will still be a financial consideration for each person. One of the things that we may look at is levels of biosecurity. If people have poor levels of biosecurity, one has to question whether compensation is a good use of public money.”
“Ensure that all roofs, spouts and so forth are well sealed so that there is no water ingress to the houses.”
“Avoid sharing equipment, or cleanse and disinfect shared equipment before and after use. Buy your feed from a reputable mill or supplier. Make sure that you train your staff to recognise disease and to react to any suspicion. Keep an up-to-date contact list of key people, and develop a contingency plan. If you suspect disease, act quickly and consult your vet. <BR /> <BR />Rodents are a particular problem; they carry the disease. Ensuring that your house is rodent-proof, including sealing all doors so that mice or rats cannot access them, is critical, because they will carry the disease in and out. Finally, prevent water ingress by ensuring that all your roofs are well sealed. You should, of course, follow safety precautions if you are fixing a roof.”
“It is about scrupulous hygiene and disinfection. Clean clothes, footwear and hands thoroughly before and after contact with birds. Keep vehicles and equipment clear. Wash the concrete apron outside regularly, because you can carry the disease in from wild bird droppings. Do not use the same boots outside as you do inside. Ensure that you use disposable boiler suits. Keep all visitors away from your birds unless it is absolutely essential, and make sure that they follow the same regime as you do. If you import birds, ensure that you buy healthy stock from a reliable source. Separate and isolate new or ill stock. Minimise contact with wild birds — in particular, waterfowl — and keep records of all birds moving on or off your premises. Make sure that your feed and water cannot be accessed by wild birds.”
“We are reliant on the Public Health Agency for advice on that issue. It has indicated that it is very rare for a human to contract the disease. There have been cases in the Far East; people who are in incredibly close contact with birds have managed to pick up the virus. It is less likely to be airborne and more likely to be associated with physical contact. Therefore, wearing gloves, disposable boiler suits and boots that do not go out of the house and are cleansed and disinfected at all times are ways of keeping the infection out of the bird population and, at the same time, keeping the owner of the birds secure.”
“In addition, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has made it clear that avian influenza does not pose a food-safety risk to UK consumers. Be assured that my Department will continue to prioritise all possible actions to deal with this incursion and to progress to eradication as quickly as possible in order to protect our industry and our rural communities. It is imperative, however, that we all play our part and take action now to ensure that we use the highest possible biosecurity, that birds are housed and that we all remain vigilant to this terrible disease. Thank you for your time, Mr Speaker.”
“<BR /> <BR />My officials frequently meet industry stakeholders to engage closely with them about the current avian influenza outbreak and to ensure that the message of adopting stringent biosecurity measures is being broadcast as far and as wide as possible. That will ensure that the risk to the Northern Ireland poultry flock is reduced as much as possible. We must all continue to be vigilant throughout the winter months. My Department has been working closely with key partners, including, as mentioned, the Public Health Agency, to communicate key messages and provide up-to-date advice to the general public. <BR /> <BR />The Public Health Agency has advised that instances of human infections by avian influenza are rare, that it is primarily a disease of birds, and that the risk to the health of the general public is very low.”
“You cannot afford to be complacent; you must act now. It is paramount that the utmost stringent biosecurity measures are adopted on your premises and that all poultry, as well as their food and water, are kept separate from wild birds. My Department has biosecurity advice and guidance, including a biosecurity checklist, on the avian influenza web page of the DAERA website. It is available for anyone to download and can be accessed on a laptop, tablet or smartphone. I urge every bird keeper in Northern Ireland to regularly consider that checklist and assure themselves that they can tick every box on it. If even one box remains unticked, there is a gap in your biosecurity. This virus can find those gaps, with devastating consequences.”
“<BR /> <BR />The risk of further high-pathogenic incursions to domestic poultry in Northern Ireland is assessed as moderate, and stringent biosecurity measures continue to play a key role in the potential of reducing the risk posed to each flock. A veterinary risk assessment completed by officials highlighted the fact that it is imperative that the poultry industry and all keepers of birds review and reinforce their biosecurity arrangements, including the physical separation of wild birds from poultry and captive birds. That remains the most effective protection against an incursion of avian influenza. Therefore, I again call on all poultry keepers, backyard and commercial: you must assess your biosecurity measures today. You must redouble your efforts to keep this disease out of your flocks.”
“As a result, my Department currently does not need to test wild birds for surveillance purposes. This week, therefore, my officials took the decision to cease all collection of wild birds with immediate effect. My Department's primary function is the control of avian influenza in poultry flocks; it is not involved in the control of the disease in wild species. Where dead wild birds are not required for surveillance purposes, it is the landowner's responsibility to safely dispose of their carcasses. My officials continue to work closely with a wide range of public bodies, including local councils, and in close collaboration with the Public Health Agency (PHA), to provide advice and guidance, as appropriate.”
“Furthermore, as of today, my Department has confirmed cases of HPAI H5N1 in 10 wild birds across Northern Ireland. These have been at the Waterworks, Belfast; Belfast lough; Monlough; Hillsborough; and Loughshore, Portadown. My Department collects dead wild birds for avian influenza surveillance purposes in order to help understand if and when the virus is present in Northern Ireland and how it is distributed geographically. Once HPAI has been detected in an area, testing is no longer required. <BR /> <BR />As a result of the wild bird HPAI H5N1 findings in Northern Ireland, it is clear that the native wild bird population has been affected by the strain being carried here by migratory birds. There is strong evidence that HPAI is now widespread in the environment.”
“The disease control zones are a vital measure to mitigate the onward spread of the disease from the infected premises. All movement of poultry and poultry products within the disease control zones is required to be licensed. A movement licensing centre was established on 1 December in the Strabane and Enniskillen DAERA Direct offices to facilitate that. Having a licence for movement within the zones is a legal requirement to ensure that strict biosecurity measures are being taken for moves within, into or out of zones. <BR /> <BR />The four cases in Northern Ireland bring the UK total to 52. I must stress that this is the largest ever outbreak of avian influenza across these islands, with, as I said, 52 cases across the United Kingdom and five in the Republic of Ireland.”
“There is one outbreak in Aughnacloy, County Tyrone; one in Broughshane, County Antrim; one near Armagh, County Armagh; and one outside Coagh, County Tyrone. The Chief Veterinary Officer introduced 3 kilometre and 10 kilometre disease control zones around all infected premises and has directed the humane culling of all birds in each premises. The humane culling has been completed at three of the four sites; the Coagh premises culling has still to be completed. <BR /> <BR />Maps and full details of the scope and measures required within the disease control zone are available on the DAERA website and have been communicated to industry stakeholders. The Department has also written to flock keepers in both zones to make them aware of developments and the measures now in place.”
“The types of premises infected range from backyard flocks to significant commercial premises in excess of 100,000 birds. In addition, over 300 confirmed cases of HPAI H5N1 have been detected in wild birds across Great Britain. <BR /> <BR />In the Republic of Ireland, as of today, HPAI H5N1 has been confirmed at five commercial holdings: four in County Monaghan and one in County Cavan. The disease control zones for two of the cases in County Monaghan and the County Cavan case extend into Northern Ireland. My Department has, therefore, established corresponding disease control zones as required. <BR /> <BR />As of today, there are four — two confirmed and two suspected — cases of HPAI H5N1 in Northern Ireland.”
“The measures in the prevention zone include stringent, mandatory biosecurity measures to help prevent the spread of disease from wild birds or another source to poultry. I cannot reiterate enough that all poultry or bird keepers, whether commercial or backyard, must adhere to the measures to protect their flocks. As a further measure to reduce risk, I introduced a mandatory housing order, effective from Monday 29 November. This disease prevention measure legally requires all birds to be housed or otherwise kept separate from wild birds. <BR /> <BR />As of today, Great Britain is on day 49 of the outbreak. To date, 48 cases of HPAI H5N1 have been confirmed across Great Britain since the first case was confirmed in England on 26 October 2021.”
“Highly pathogenic avian influenza causes severe disease in birds, with high mortality levels. It has a severe impact on production and trade. It may also pose a threat to people and to other animals in certain circumstances. We are facing a highly pathogenic strain. It is a significant threat to our valued poultry industry, which is worth over £400 million and supports many thousands of jobs. <BR /> <BR />On 17 November, prior to any confirmed cases in Northern Ireland and in consideration of the evolving situation across Great Britain at that time, I took a decision to introduce an avian influenza prevention zone across all of Northern Ireland in order to reduce the risk of infection amongst poultry flocks here.”
“In cases in which a notifiable strain of avian influenza is confirmed, my Department is required to cull and dispose of affected poultry humanely in order to prevent further disease spread. Compensation for birds culled is payable in such circumstances. Avian influenza can also be distinguished as being highly pathogenic or low pathogenic. Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) causes mild disease in poultry but can mutate into highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will make an urgent statement to the Assembly on the current avian influenza outbreak across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Epizootic diseases such as avian influenza are animal diseases that are not usually present in Northern Ireland. They have the potential to cause serious animal health, public health and economic consequences. Maintaining disease freedom is paramount to underpinning the international trade of live animals and products of animal origin. Commonly known as bird flu, avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease. Avian influenza strains can be distinguished as being notifiable or non-notifiable. A notifiable disease is any disease that is required by law to be reported to government authorities.”
“Once again, I thank the Members who have spoken today in support of this Bill. I thank the Committee for the work that it has done to facilitate its passage. As Ms Armstrong said, it is largely technical, but it ensures that an anomaly that was created has now been resolved. I trust that that will assist both of the racecourses.”
“Simply amending the named beneficiaries to the fund has ensured that the Bill reached its Final Stage today, meaning that payments can now be fully reinstated to both racecourses in this mandate. I therefore welcome the fact that the Bill has reached its Final Stage.”
“That, I hope, will be welcomed by both racecourses. <BR /> <BR />I also believe that the racecourse operators welcomed the amendments that I tabled for Consideration Stage, which mean that it will be possible to provide full imbursement for the eligible spend incurred in 2021. Hopefully, that will offset some of the difficulties described by the racecourse operators in the absence of the fund. The amendments agreed at Consideration Stage will enable payments in 2022 to be made without delay, following Royal Assent. <BR /> <BR />As I have said in previous debates, I recognise the need for a fundamental review of the fund. The Bill's narrow focus, however, will hopefully enable my Department to resume payments to both racecourses shortly.”
“They reflected on the financial strain caused by not having access to the fund since the change of management at Down Royal and how that has significantly impacted on their operations, hence the key focus of the Bill is on ensuring full reinstatement of the payments from the fund as quickly as possible. <BR /> <BR />As well as amending the named beneficiaries to reflect the current position, the Bill introduces a narrow power to update the named beneficiaries to the fund via subordinate legislation if necessary in the future. Doing that would avoid the need for primary legislation if there were a change of operator at either racecourse again. Although the change could be subject to a resolution of the Assembly, that provision will hopefully avoid extended periods during which no payment can be made.”
“<BR /> <BR />The aim of the Horse Racing (Amendment) Bill is therefore to update the 1990 Order to reflect the name of the new operator at Down Royal as a beneficiary of the fund. Importantly, in making that change, the Bill will also allow the full resumption of payments to Downpatrick. In their response to my Department's consultation, as well as in the evidence provided to the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs during its scrutiny, representatives from both racecourses noted how crucial the fund had been over the past 30 years.”
“A fund was established in legislation in Northern Ireland in 1976. The legislation required that licensed bookmakers make an annual contribution to support racing at Down Royal racecourse, and the 1990 Order subsequently extended that support to racing at Downpatrick. <BR /> <BR />The 1990 Order named the then operators of the two racecourses as beneficiaries of the fund. As Members will be aware, however, it has not been possible for Down Royal to access the fund since a change to its management in 2019. That is because the 1990 Order names only the former operator. Furthermore, as a consequence of an assessment of subsidy control rules, payments to Downpatrick have also been suspended in order to avoid creating unfair competition between the two racecourses.”
“I am pleased that the Bill has reached its Final Stage. I am grateful for the wide support that the Bill, which will amend the Horse Racing (Northern Ireland) Order 1990, has received during its passage through the Assembly. As Members will be aware, the 1990 Order provides for the horse racing fund. The fund is made up of a levy collected from bookmakers and is to be used to assist in the operation and development of Northern Ireland's two racecourses, at Down Royal and Downpatrick. <BR /> <BR />The concept of a charge on bookmakers to support racecourses dates back to the 1960s. It was introduced in Great Britain to offset the decline in race-day revenue from gate receipts following the introduction of legislation that no longer required attendance at a racecourse in order to place a bet.”
“I welcome the support for the regulations and thank Members for it.”
“<BR /> <BR />Ms Bailey indicates that she would like to be helpful to farmers. Of course, the greatest assistance that she could give to the farming community would be to accept the scientific advice on climate change. We are moving towards taking the United Kingdom to a position of net zero as part of our commitment to the Paris Accord, and, with a significant Northern Ireland contribution, that can be achieved. I encourage Members to take cognisance of that over the next number of weeks, because it is causing an awful lot of concern amongst many farm families, who are looking to the future and saying, "I'm not sure that I have a future". We need to lift the sword of Damocles off those farmers and ensure that we do what is right for not just the environment but the people living in our rural communities.”
“Unless we take forward that challenge, bovine TB will continue to be a massive problem for wildlife. <BR /> <BR />We also need to ensure that future agriculture payments are directed at people who are actively farming. That is where we want to spend that £50 million. That is where we have a lot more latitude, and we will develop that course of work. <BR /> <BR />I was surprised at Ms Bailey's comments. As a member of the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, she should know that we are doing a course of work on future agriculture payments and that that has informed this piece of work. Therefore, I was surprised to hear her, in the full knowledge that an ongoing different and separate course of work will come before the Committee shortly, make a speech on the basis that it is not included in these regulations.”
“I thank Members for their commentary, which, by and large, was very positive. Mrs Barton is right: the regulations will tidy up the rules and ensure that there is no corruption of previous simplifications. That will help us to ensure that we can provide support to the agricultural community. She mentioned young farmers, and there are a number of areas that will assist greatly in that. <BR /> <BR />Tackling bovine TB is critical. It is necessary for us to do that as a Government, not only because we spend £40 million on it and need to reduce that overhead, but for the agricultural sector, because it has had a devastating impact on farm after farm, mentally and financially. It is devastating for wildlife as well. If we do not bring bovine TB under control, it will manifest itself repeatedly in wildlife until it is addressed.”
“Part 4 amends the direct payments regulations to limit to five years the time that a farm business can receive the young farmer's payment, even if there is a change in the head of holding during that period. We find that, in a small number of cases, farm businesses change the head of holding to another young farmer to get the young farmer's payment for a further five years. <BR /> <BR />The statutory rule (SR) will help to ensure the continued smooth delivery of direct agriculture support to farmers. I note the comments and concerns that Members have raised, and I will work to address them.”
“Part 3 amends the direct payments regulation to reduce the number of payment entitlements to be allocated to a farmer by the number of entitlements temporarily transferred out by the farmer and the number of entitlements permanently transferred out by that farmer in the scheme year of the application and the previous two scheme years, provided that those scheme years related to 2022 or later. While few farm businesses do that, selling entitlements prior to submitting an application to the regional reserve could result in a business not only receiving entitlements at the regional average, which could be higher than the value of its original entitlements, but profiting from the sale of the original entitlements.”
“Since the introduction of the 2021 regulations, my officials have continued to review the rules governing the schemes and have identified the following additional simplifications and improvements, which are designed to make the application and payment process simpler for claimants and those administering the schemes. The Direct Payments to Farmers (Simplifications) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 will give legal effect to those improvements and simplifications. <BR /> <BR />Part 2 of the Direct Payments to Farmers (Simplifications) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2022 amends the regulations to limit to three the number of times that an applicant and a farm business can submit an application to the regional reserve.”
“The current direct agricultural support schemes, which include the basic payment scheme, are worth over £293 million annually to farmers in Northern Ireland. The purpose of the regulations that I bring forward today is to implement improvements and simplifications to the rules governing the schemes. <BR /> <BR />Earlier this year, the Direct Payments to Farmers (Simplifications) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 gave legal effect to a number of improvements to and simplifications of the rules governing the direct agricultural support schemes for the 2021 scheme year.”
“He has her well softened up. I hope that we will get positive news from the Minister, so I will not detain the House further.”
“They have to cross the main road — a road that 10,000 cars travel — to go to the doctor and the chemist and to get essential items. We need to relieve the pressure on Moira village. <BR /> <BR />We have talked about the train station and recognised the desire to create more car parking. I support that. I would also like to see better walking access to the train station so that people can safely walk there through a well-lit area. It is critical that the Department for Infrastructure take that issue on board. We all recognise, and everybody knows, that, for traffic, Moira is a disaster zone, particularly in the evenings when the traffic backs up on to the motorway. It is dangerous for traffic to be queued back on to the motorway. <BR /> <BR />We hope for good news tonight, given the lobbying of the Minister that Mr Catney has already done.”
“Some £1 million was spent on putting lights at the Saintfield roundabout. Mr Salmon was heavily involved in that. Work was done to the Largymore link road. Again, that was provided by the private sector. The new Knockmore/Sprucefield link road, which will make a transformational difference to the city of Lisburn, is also being provided by the private sector. Given that the Department for Infrastructure has got away so lightly in the Lagan Valley constituency, it would be entirely reasonable for it to provide investment there, for Moira and the communities that access the motorway through the village of Moira. <BR /> <BR />Moira is gridlocked, particularly in the morning and evening peak traffic. If you are trying to get out of Meeting Street to get on to the main road, it is an absolute disaster. Many older people live in Moira.”
“<BR /> <BR />Mr Catney is absolutely right when he says that, historically, Lagan Valley has not done particularly well out of Roads Service or the Department for Infrastructure. The north Lisburn feeder road was provided by the private sector. A further £7 million of investment happened at Sprucefield when the new links were made to the motorway there: again, that was provided by the private sector.”
“Thank you for calling me, in any event. I thank Robbie for bringing the debate to the House. <BR /> <BR />It is a long time since my grandfather took his family to church in Moira on a pony and trap. My mother walked nearly 3 miles to the train station to get down to Belfast to work in the Civil Service. Moira has grown rapidly as a village since then, particularly over recent years. Unfortunately, planning has not gone into it in the way that it should. Road development has not taken place to match the housing development that took place in the area and in the other villages further up towards Lurgan, including Magheralin, Dollingstown and Waringstown, which all access the motorway through the village of Moira.”
“No worries, Mr Speaker. Everybody forgets about me, you know.”
“Significant progress has also been made on a review of the effectiveness and impact of similar types of registers that are already operating elsewhere. My officials are developing proposals on potential next steps. <BR /> <BR />On the question of sentencing, we pointed out that there will be other opportunities. The Assembly took the lead in the United Kingdom by increasing sentences for those who cause harm to animals. We have sought to encourage the courts on that matter through my letter to the Department of Justice, which was passed to the Lady Chief Justice. It is something that we take extremely seriously, and I am sure that, if it believes that we are falling short on that front and on providing further protections, a new Assembly will revisit the legislation. <BR /> <BR />I commend the Bill to the House.”
“It is therefore important that we do this and that we recognise that those animals are being put on the front line for our benefit. The actions that we take today will enhance and support the work that those animals do. <BR /> <BR />A couple of Members raised the issue of the animal offenders' register. I have previously engaged with the Minister of Justice on the topic, and my officials have been liaising with their counterparts in the Department of Justice. Significant progress has been made on identifying the key issues that need to be addressed in order to implement and maintain a register in a way that reduces the risk of reoffending but that also secures and protects access to sensitive information.”