Member

I have one other query for the Minister, on which I realise that I neglected to tip her or her department off; perhaps she might write to me and the noble Baroness, Lady Grender, about it. I have seen reports recently that breeders of rare birds are killing their birds because of avian flu restrictions. In the poultry tent at the Appleby Show in Cumbria, I have seen chickens of all sizes and extraordinary plumage—I am sure the Minister has seen them as well at shows in west Cumbria. I can understand why rare breeders from all around the country cannot bring them together at poultry shows, but why do they need to kill them? There have been fairly long-standing restrictions, and surely the breeders would have curtailed the number of hatchlings to match supply. I assume that is why there is decreased demand.