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From the RPRA web site STOP PRESS - STOP PRESS 1st JUNE 2006 There is a rumour circulating around the pigeon community that the ban on racing from France has been lifted by DEFRA. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. DEFRA Policy staff have not as yet formulated any recommendation to the Secretary of State for consideration as they have been out of the country on AI related business. There will be no decision this week and any decision will be notified in advance to the Racing Pigeon Unions in the first instance. As soon as we know anything it will hit the streets via the RPRA website and e mail distribution list. For the record, it is unlikely that any racing will take place from France on the 10th June. We have to receive permits from the FCF who in turn have to advise site agents. We already know that organisations will change race programmes depending on when racing from the continent commences. Ferry companies also need to contemplate their bookings and we cannot leave it to the last minute to cancel any bookings for them to sail with empty berths. As and when and if we get the green light please be assured that the RPRA will pull out all the stops to get your organisations into France. Peter Bryant General Manager

hello all my first post so here goes I emailed the scottish executive early today for a date of the possible ending of the current zones and this was there reply Thursday, 20 April, 2006 EASING OF AVIAN INFLUENZA RESTRICTIONS Subject to no further cases of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 being found, the Scottish Executive is working on the following assumption: The Wild Bird Protection Zone put in place on 5 April following confirmation of highly pathogenic H5 Avian Influenza in a Whooper swan in Cellardyke harbour will be lifted at 00.01 on 22 April. This is 21 full days after samples were taken from the wild swan. The Wild Bird Protection Zone will then become part of the Wild Bird Surveillance Zone. Restrictions on the movement of poultry and other captive birds remain in force but controls on movement of poultry products within this area will cease. Following completion of a programme of veterinary inspections, with negative results, of all premises with poultry in the Wild Bird Surveillance Zone and taking account of epidemiological advice, restrictions imposed in this zone, will be lifted at 00.01 on 1 May. It is intended that the Wild Bird Risk Area (east of the M90/A90 stretching from the Forth Bridge to Stonehaven) will lapse at the same time as the Wild Bird Surveillance Zone on 1 May subject to a veterinary risk assessment. NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS 1. The Wild Bird Protection Zone covers an area of 3 km radius from the site where the dead swan was found. The Wild Bird Surveillance Zone covers an area of 10 km radius from the site where the dead swan was found. 2. The Wild Bird Protection and Surveillance Zones were made under the Avian Influenza (H5N1 in Wild Birds) (Scotland) Order 2006. 3. The Wild Bird Risk Area was made under the Avian Influenza (Preventative Measures) (Scotland) Regulations. Contact: Lisa McCormick :0131 244 1725 News Release: «NewsReleaseNo» Internet: www.scotland.gov.uk