Tag Archives: HM Government

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News story: Avian flu confirmed in a backyard flock near Thornton, Wyre, Lancashire

H5N8 avian flu has been confirmed in a backyard flock near Thornton, Wyre, Lancashire.

The UK’s Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed H5N8 avian flu in a backyard flock of chickens and ducks near Thornton, Wyre, Lancashire. A 3 km Protection Zone and a 10 km Surveillance Zone have been put in place around the infected premises to limit the risk of the disease spreading. We have published full details of the controls in place.

The flock contains nine birds. A number had died and the remaining live birds at the premises will be humanely culled. A full investigation is under way to determine the source of the infection.

Public Health England advises that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency is clear that bird flu does not pose a food safety risk for UK consumers.

Read the latest advice and information on avian flu in the UK, including actions to reduce the risk of the disease spreading, advice for anyone who keeps poultry or captive birds and details of previous cases. Journalists with queries should contact Defra press office.

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Press release: Baroness Anelay visits the Caribbean and Central America

On 1-5 May 2017 the Rt Hon Baroness Anelay of St Johns DBE, Minister of State for the Caribbean, the Commonwealth and the UN, visited Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana and Venezuela for the first time.

While in Trinidad & Tobago, Baroness Anelay met President Carmona, where she discussed bilateral relations and Commonwealth affairs. The Minister also met the Minister of Foreign and Caribbean Community Affairs, the Attorney General and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister to discuss corruption and UK support for criminal justice reform in Trinidad & Tobago.

Baroness Anelay, who is also responsible for the UK’s international policy on human rights and gender issues, met the Director for Gender and Child Affairs and local NGOs to discuss current work on these issues in Trinidad & Tobago.

Baroness Anelay then travelled to Guyana to meet with President Granger and members of the Cabinet; the Secretary General of the Caribbean Community, Irwin LaRoque; members of the Private Sector Commission and a number of NGOs. Guyana and the UK have worked closely to tackle corruption, violence, and the infiltration of narcotics and people traffickers from across Guyana’s borders.

On the last part of the visit in Venezuela, an FCO Human Rights Priority Country, the Minister explored joint programmes on human rights, energy, climate change, and education and cultural co-operation. She met government Ministers to discuss bilateral relations, human rights, climate change and energy. In these meetings the Minister also expressed her concern about the ongoing political situation and unrest in Venezuela. Baroness Anelay also met Venezuelan human rights defenders, to review important UK projects in capacity building and gender equality.

Further information

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Press release: Foreign Secretary visits Tobruk, Libya

The Foreign Secretary met Agila Saleh and Ahmied Homa, the President & second vice-President of Libya’s Parliament – the House of Representatives. In this meeting, Mr Johnson emphasised the importance of Libya’s legitimate political institutions working together to break the impasse and restore security, stability, and prosperity in Libya.

After this meeting, the Foreign Secretary visited Tobruk Commonwealth War Cemetery, which is the final resting place of over 2,000 Commonwealth soldiers. Mr Johnson also laid a wreath at the Cemetery’s memorial and visited the Cemetery’s Guest room, which contains artefacts commemorating Britain’s role in Libya during the Second World War.

Today’s visit followed the Foreign Secretary’s meetings in Tripoli yesterday with the Libyan Prime Minister Fayyez Al-Serraj and Foreign Minister Mohamed Siala. He also met with Abdurrahman Swehli the President of Libya’s High State Council.

Speaking after the visit to Tobruk, the Foreign Secretary said:

In my meetings in Tobruk I have stressed to the Presidency of Libya’s House of Representatives the importance of working with Prime Minister Serraj and Libya’s High State Council to break the political deadlock and bring renewed hope for the people of Libya.

A more secure, stable and prosperous future for Libya can only be restored when their leaders choose to work together in the interests of the Libyan people.

Further information

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