| Author: Peter Bryant | Title: Racing Pigeons and Avian Influenza |
| Date: 2006-02-22 16:08:31 | Uploaded by: webmaster |
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Following the rubbish published in the Daily Star yesterday and published comments by Ken Livingstone the London mayor, I have deemed it necessary to issue the following press release to the media.
Peter
PRESS RELEASE
RACING PIGEONS AND AVIAN INFLUENZA
Concerns raised by London Mayor Ken Livingstone about the risk of pigeons spreading avian influenza (AI) are totally exaggerated. Pigeons carry no more threat than any other variety of bird and are certainly less likely to be carriers of AI than the waterfowl in the London parks.
Considerable veterinary research has been conducted on the effects of AI on racing pigeons and vets have concluded that racing pigeons are resistant or minimally susceptible to infection of High Pathogenic AI or Low Pathogenic AI. (source: Perkins LE, Swayne DE and www.avian-influenza.com).
The Royal Pigeon Racing Association has been working closely with DEFRA to ensure that its members follow general licence conditions imposed by DEFRA on 21 December 2005. This will ensure that racing, showing and sales of racing pigeons can go ahead. Contrary to reports in the Daily Star on 21 February 2006 racing is not banned for 2006. Contingencies are in hand should an outbreak of AI be confirmed in Britain and Britain’s fanciers will act accordingly and appropriately.
Residents living near pigeon fanciers are asked to consider the scientific facts and not to listen to the scaremongering of public servants who clearly have an ulterior motive for their words. Racing pigeons carry little risk of transmitting or catching AI.
ENDS
More Information/interviews from:
Peter Bryant, General Manager
Royal Pigeon Racing Association
Tel 01452 713529 Fax 01452 857119
E-mail gm@rpra.org
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