Email from the SHU this morning,Seems only the RPRA birds need to be contained from the 14th, SHU members are allowed to let theirs out for short periods. Hi Everyone, A little bit of good news. I contacted our Scottish Disease control branch in respect of specific advice for pigeon fanciers in Scotland. The reply (below) advises that pigeons housed together can still be allowed out of the loft for short periods albeit this advice comes with a caution that should pigeon fanciers be found to be acting irresponsibly firmer line would be taken. There are links below to the appropriate sites where you can find out more. Kind regards, Date: Fri, 4 Dec 2020 18:15:39 +0000 From: <Elizabeth.Tidy@gov.scot> To: Undisclosed recipients:; Dear Colleague, Please note, the Chief Veterinary Officers for Scotland, England and Wales have agreed to bring in new measures to help protect poultry and captive birds. The new housing measures announced on 03 December 2020, which will come into force on 14 December 2020, mean that it will be a legal requirement for all poultry and other captive birds to be housed or otherwise kept separate from wild birds, and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease. These housing measures build on the strengthened biosecurity regulations that were brought in as part of the Avian Influenza Protection Zone (AIPZ) on 11 November 2020. The AIPZ means all bird keepers (whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) are required by law to undertake a range of biosecurity precautions. These biosecurity precautions apply just as much if you only have a few birds as pets, or if you have a large commercial flock. An outbreak of avian influenza in back garden chickens results in the same restrictions on movement of birds. It has the same impact on farmers and trade in poultry as an outbreak on a commercial farm would have. Good biosecurity improves the overall health and productivity of your flock by helping keep out poultry diseases, such as avian influenza, and limiting the spread of disease in an outbreak. Further details of the measures that apply in the AIPZ can be found in the AIPZ declaration and our biosecurity guidance. Government Chief Veterinary Officers are encouraging bird keepers to use the days leading up to 14 December to prepare for new housing measures, including taking steps to safeguard animal welfare, consult their vet, and where necessary put up additional housing. The decision to implement the housing measures from 12:01 am on 14 November 2020, in addition to the current AIPZ measures, has been made in light of evidence from the continent and ongoing high numbers of avian influenza findings among wild bird populations in England. The risk of incursion of avian influenza has been increased to very high for wild birds, medium for poultry with high biosecurity, and high for poultry with poor biosecurity. Further details on the evidence that supported these decisions can be found in our risk assessments. Additional information for bird of prey and pigeon keepers: The use of one bird (falcon/hawk etc.) or multiple birds that already live together will still be permitted in order to continue to carry out pest control/hunting services in GB. However, birds that are not already housed together/on the same premises should not be flown together, as this constitutes a bird gathering. This advice does not apply in any of the Protection or Surveillance Zones (PZ/SZ) (at the moment these are only in England, but future AI outbreaks could be in Scotland). Bird movements are not restricted (unless in a SZ/PZ ). However, bird gatherings in Scotland are banned and birds should be housed from 14 December. Therefore, a single bird (or birds already housed together) could be transported and used at a wedding venue. As long as measures contained within the AIPZ are adhered to, this is acceptable. With regard to pigeon lofts, the birds must be housed. However, they can be let out briefly each day for exercise, provided pigeon keepers act responsibly (for example, this could be for a brief period before feeding, say half an hour, which will ensure the return of the birds promptly when the feed goes out. At which point they should be shut in again.). Lofts should not be left open for several hours for the birds to come and go as they please. Where pigeon owners are not acting responsibly, a firmer line may need to be taken, which will result in the birds being kept in full time. Please pass this alert on to your members as appropriate. Kind regards, Elizabeth Elizabeth Tidy| Disease Control branch | Animal Health and Welfare Division | Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate| Scottish Government | P Spur | Saughton house | Broomhouse Drive | Edinburgh | EH11 3XD Tel 0300 244 7549 | ex. 4754 | Email: Elizabeth.tidy@gov.scot
