BIRD FLU REVELATION IS EXTRAORDINARY - HUHNE

12.00.00am GMT Sun 11th Feb 2007

The revelation that Defra continued to allow imports from Hungary is extraordinary

Commenting on reports that imports of turkey meat from Hungary were allowed to continue, even after an outbreak of bird flu was confirmed in the UK, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defra Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said:

"If true, the revelation that Defra allowed continued imports of poultry meat from Hungary after the notification of bird flu at the Bernard Matthews plant in Suffolk is extraordinary and suggestive that one part of the department does not know what other parts are doing.

"David Miliband urgently must come to the House of Commons to explain his department's efforts in stopping the spread of bird flu and protecting human health from what would be a devastating mutation into a virus contagious between humans.

"On the face of it, David Miliband appears to have given incomplete answers to the House of Commons in his last statement. He now needs to reassure both the House and the public.

"David Miliband needs a firm reminder that public health must come before all other considerations."