I have taken a phone call from a DEFRA official tonight who has advised that the sudden death of 1000 turkeys on a poultry farm in Halesworth, Suffolk has been confirmed as the H5 variant of bird flu. Tests are continuing to see exactly which variant it is (N1, N2 etc) [it has been confirmed this morning to being H5N1 - Webmaster] and this will have a bearing on any follow up action. As an immediate step bird gatherings are to be banned. The AI contingency plans will therefore kick in with an immediate exclusion zone around the farm.

Whilst this is not good news (and DEFRA were very surprised that this outbreak appears to have arisen out of nowhere, the nearest recent outbreak being in Hungary last week) we should not at this juncture accept that this is going to curtail racing and other gatherings. The contingency plans work and work well and do not necessarily mean that everything will grind to a halt. Clearly though fanciers living in the vicinity of the farm are likely be more affected for the immediate future.

I understand that further tests on the turkeys on Saturday will determine what variant we have here and I will of course report again when I have something more concrete to report and DEFRA has more information. What I do not want is the doom and gloom merchants telling everyone that the racing season is off!

I regret due to technical difficulties I am having trouble updating the RPRA website but will get this sorted as soon as possible next week.

Peter Bryant
General Manager
The Royal Pigeon Racing Association