Action was taken on the Government's animal disease contingency plan today in response to an outbreak of Newcastle Disease in pheasants at a farm in Surrey.

Separately, the Chief Veterinary Officer Debby Reynolds has made a joint statement with Monique Eloit, her French counterpart, on cooperation between the two countries over the disease outbreak.

The Chief Veterinary Officer confirmed an outbreak of Newcastle Disease on a pheasant premises in Surrey, on Friday 15 July.

About 2,700 birds on the infected farm have been humanely culled so far and the remaining birds will be killed in the coming days.

An Infected Area was imposed around the premises in which movement of poultry and vehicles are controlled to reduce the possible spread of disease.

The Health Protection Agency has confirmed that Newcastle Disease does not pose a significant risk to human health. However, the virus can occasionally cause conjunctivitis.

At a meeting with industry representatives and other stakeholders in London today, Debby Reynolds, the Chief Veterinary Officer, said:

"The Government's strategy is to deal with the outbreak quickly, encourage keepers to use greater biosecurity measures, adopt vaccination, and to reduce any impact on the rural economy and trade. "We are working closely with colleagues in the poultry industry, the NFU, game shooting bodies and others, to ensure this happens. Defra policy is that the countryside should remain open for business."

Exports to the EU have not been affected except that those from the infected area are suspended. The EU Commission and Member States have said they are satisfied with the measures taken so far and that it does not envisage taking action to stop exports to the UK from member countries.

Trade to countries outside the EU may be affected as some countries require country freedom from disease.

The source of the infection has been investigated. The French authorities have suspicions about possible disease on a farm in France on which they plan to cull birds tomorrow.

The farm concerned in France is a large game bird farm with around 20,000 pheasants and 35,000 partridges. The source of infection for this farm has yet to be identified.

Full control measures, as required by EU law, have been taken by the UK and French authorities. Action has been taken to cull the birds on the affected premises.

In a joint statement with Monique Eloit, Debby Reynolds said:

"All countries are at constant risk of outbreaks of ND due to the reservoir of infection that exists in wild birds.

"The industries already take precautions including good biosecurity and vaccination to minimise the risk of disease. However, outbreaks will occur and when they do it is important that all concerned, officials and industry, cooperate and act decisively to contain and control the disease.

"This investigation is a good example of such cooperation between Members States which has quickly resulted in identification of the linked infected premises."