| Author: RPRA, DEFRA | Title: Pigeon Shows to Continue Under Licence - Avian Flu Update |
| Date: 2005-11-18 00:01:10 | Uploaded by: webmaster |
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An update to the Avian Flu situation.
Hi all
Latest from DEFRA today. Shows can now go ahead on licence but still no
sales other than clearance sales. I will be taking this matter up with
DEFRA (again!) to try to get some resolution on this.
Watch this space
Peter Bryant
General Manager
The Royal Pigeon Racing Association
The Reddings
Nr Cheltenham, Glos GL51 6RN
Tel 01452 713529 Fax 857119
DEFRA Information
Pigeon fanciers will be allowed to show their birds at fairs and markets Defra announced today.
The general EU wide ban on bird fairs came in to effect on 28th October based on the risk of infection at the time. On veterinary advice licensed pigeon shows can now proceed because the risk that these will spread avian influenza is currently assessed as low. The pigeon racing season is due to start in April 2006, although a small number are planned before then. Work is underway to allow these races to take place.
Licences for pigeon shows will be issued provided that certain biosecurity and other conditions can be met. Further details can be found on the Defra website http://www.defra.gov.uk/.../ai/poultrykeepers.htm Animal Welfare Minister Ben Bradshaw said:
‘Our vets have carried out a risk assessment and their advice is that pigeon shows can go ahead under licence. We will take forward this advice and work with stakeholders to ensure any risk is minimised so that these events can go ahead. We will be working closely with stakeholders to ensure that appropriate provisions can be developed to license pigeon racing’
NOTES
- Under Regulation 5 of the Avian Influenza (Preventive Measures) Regulations 2005, the collection of birds at fairs, markets, shows exhibitions and other gatherings has been banned except under licence.
- The conditions which need to be met in order to be considered eligible for a licence, are:
- The licence holder must ensure that there is a designated show organiser and a person responsible for keeping the records set out in condition 2.
- A record of all exhibitors must be kept for three months, which includes the following information for each exhibitor: full name; home address; telephone number; number and species of birds exhibited.
- No sales of birds may take place at the event and the birds should return to the premises of origin at the end of the event.
- The event cannot take place where poultry are present.
- The veterinary surgeon named in this licence (or another veterinary surgeon if the named person is unavailable) must be contactable for advice and to attend in the event of any suspect disease or welfare problem.
- The licence holder must ensure that a designated person maintains a written contingency plan, which includes:
- how to contact the nominated veterinary surgeon;
- the method of disposal for any birds, which may die during the event;
- how to contact the local Animal Health Divisional Office in the event of suspect avian influenza;
- arrangements must be in place to provide sufficient food and water at the premises for the duration of a complete disease investigation.
- Biosecurity advice and the code of conduct must be available at the event.
- All litter and manure within the cages must be contained until disposal. Any spillages outside the cage to be cleansed and disinfected immediately.
- All litter and manure must be disposed of in sealed bags for normal refuse collection in such a manner that other birds do not have direct access to it.
- Exhibitors must be instructed to cleanse and disinfect the show cages before the show and be advised that they should cleanse and disinfect the cages on return to the home premises and before they are used to hold any other bird.
- The show should only consist of budgerigars, canaries, zebra finches, Bengalese finches, pigeons and captive bred British birds. All other birds must be excluded.
- The licence conditions will be kept under review.
- Applications for licences must be sent to the Local Animal Health Office. Details of Animal Health Offices are available at http://www.defra.gov.uk/.../ai/poultrykeepers.htm
More information: http://www.defra.gov.uk/.../ai/poultrykeepers.htm#birdfair
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| Coo time for a brew!...Where next? |
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