AVIAN FLU

[mealybar]

mealybar does this mean there will be a ban in areas effected by the virus, the question most are confused about is IS THERE A BAN IN THE UK OF SHOWS AND AUCTIONS ETC< AT THIS MOMENT????

 

According to the RPRA (as per email notification yesterday) yes there is a ban. According to DEFRA and the EU, I dont think so.

 

I think for anyone attending shows in the comming weeks the best thing to do would be check just prior to the show. I think there are too many conflicting reports going about at the moment to say definately if there is a ban anywhere.

 

I'm awaiting a reply from the RPRA to clarify the situation.

 

-----

Maybe on a slightly different theme; imports of caged birds are banned into the EU, and everything is banned from outbreak areas. If these (pigeon) bans are in place, then how can they not apply to poultry - the very birds that are most susseptible to the disease!!?? ... maddness! :o

[Guest]

Confusion arises due to two seperate bans. Wild caught birds (1 month) & live bird movements (till 31/12).

 

Try BBC NEWS24 @ 1240. Margaret Beckett, Minister responsible, addresses Commons, gives details of measures.

[Guest]

Well, she started nearer 1230 than 1240.  

 

News of measures (regulations) coming before the House in days, main points: (1) live bird movements (including fairs, shows) throughout EU, and (2)  Import of live wild birds...and (3) free range poultry coming inside (UK).

 

Other issues raised: UK Quarantine system defects, mixing birds from different countries; mixing clinical samples from them. DEFRA's lack of proactiveness; especially in advising poultry sector on Avian Flu issues.

 

Now announcement has been made in Commons, DEFRA website will spring to life with news of impending regulations. Ye olde need-to-knowe at playe again - play dumb with the general public over the phone BEFORE the Commons announcement.

 

Stress above is just a summary - wait till detailed regulations are published for the 'fine print'.

[martinalison]

Defra told our governing body the NPA that all pigeon & poultry shows and sales are suspended as from yesterday 25th October until futher notice.

[Guest]

EU IMPORT RESTRICTION ON (WILD) LIVE BIRDS

 

 

Yesterday's press announcement on the 'wild-bird ban' (applies until end of November) avialble at:

 

 

http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1351&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN

[Guest Doostalker]

This is the response I had from the spokesperson for the Scottish Executive, to my e mail to her this morning. I sent her details of what Dr Gordon Chalmers has said in regard to avian flu and pigeons. You will note she uses the word "ban" for the first time.

 

"Thanks for this. We are working on the legislation to ban shows etc – as required by the EU Decision – but equally importantly the structure for the risk assessments which are the gateway to opening up racing, shows etc safely. It is a fast moving situation.

 

I will forward the scientific paper to our vets.

 

Thanks again"

 

I will post anything else I get.

[PIGEON_MAN]

Defra told our governing body the NPA that all pigeon & poultry shows and sales are suspended as from yesterday 25th October until futher notice.

 

THIS SAME MESSAGE WAS RELAYED TO THE SEC. OF THE W.N.R.FED BY MR. PETER BRYANT AT THE R.P.R.A. THIS MORNING AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO HOLD A SHOW THIS WEEKEND ALLTHOUGH IT WOULD NOT BE HELD UNDER R.P.R.A.RULES IT STILL HAD TO BE CANCELLED BECAUSE IT WAS IN A E.U. COUNTRY.

[Guest]

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/disemala/avflu/arche.sht

 

An overview of the Avian influenza eidemic last year in Canada.

[showman]

Caught a bit on the BBC Northern Ireland news to-night. There was a short interview with a spokesperson from the Dept. Agr. who says that following the ruling from the EU, they (Dept.Agr) were drawing up plans to impose the resulting ban on shows, sales etc.

 

Will keep an eye on things over here, and try to keep you all posted.

 

Maybe we could all meet in chat room say at 10.00pm so we can let others know what we've learned today ?

 

Paul C.

[Silverdale Lofts]

all the auctions are all going ahead this weekend no bans imposed im hoping to be at the jos thorne sale

[Guest]

Thanks for the lead, Rose.

 

I find it pretty strange that 'a relaxation' suddenly appears on LPW's sales auction site which allows sales auctions to go ahead and which is said to come from the RPRA, yet doesn't appear on the RPRA website.

 

So sales auctions go ahead this weekend but all the shows are cancelled? Money talks. One piece of ammo for organiser's of this weekend's shows, I think.

 

 

[Guest]

Money always talks Bruno

I'll in chatroom now what to pick up as much info as possible cause some of me mates have been planning to come over to Blackpool

[Guest]

Just a thought on veterinary assessment: you really need to tell them what they want to hear (it's natural, all people like that):

 

Competitors live in virus-free zones; birds have been confined for  X weeks prior to the event for show preparation; birds travel direct to and from their home and venue; they are kept in seperate cages / pens; each pen absorbant floor sprinkled with dry disinfectant (Stalosan); Boot wash tray of Virkon disinfectant at main (only?) entrance / exit point;

 

Like to add / comment on that, P/Powerblast?

[THE FIFER]

cheers mealybar and i agree 100% that poultry should be the first priority on the banning list, like u do not understand this one,

[Guest]

Slipped up with my abbreviation in post 343: the auction site that Rose posted was Elimar - LJP or L Parkinson, BHW.  

[johnny11]

Here is the latest from RPRA

 

NEWS RELEASE

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR

Out of Hours Tel: 020 7270 8960 Out of Hours Fax: 020 7270 8125

 

 

 

DEFRA News Index

 

483/05

27 October 2005

 

 

 

COMMISSION DECISION BANNING BIRDS AT MARKETS, SHOWS AND FAIRS

 

New measures to help prevent the spread of avian influenza have been agreed by the European Commission. Decision 2005/745/EC adopted by the EU on 21 October requires member states to ban birds at markets, shows, fairs and similar events. It may be possible to authorise some events to go ahead based on a veterinary risk assessment specific to that event.

 

Domestic legislation bringing these measures into effect is expected to be in force by Friday 28 October.

 

Show organisers would be required to obtain a special licence to allow events affected by the new requirements to take place. Please call the Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77 for more information on how to apply for a licence.

 

Peter Bryant

General Manager

The Royal Pigeon Racing Association

The Reddings

near Cheltenham, Glos GL51 6RN

Tel: 01452 713529 Fax: 857119

 

[Guest]

LATEST FROM THE R.P.R.A

EU IMPLEMENTS IMMEDIATE BAN ON ALL SHOWS  MARKETS  FAIRS AND SALES  THE BAN WILL BE IN PLACE UNTIL DECEMBER 31ST

[Guest]

Again, given that this is an initiative to stop the spread of avian flu, I think any decent indoors venue shouldn't have any trouble 'passing' the veterinary assessment, provided : The venue is indoors and in a virus-free zone; all competitors and their birds live in virus-free zones; the birds have been 'double insulated' by being confined to their lofts for X weeks prior to the event or show; birds travel direct to and from their home and venue and are not allowed to mix with others there; and some sort of bio-security is in place to ensure no cross-infection can take place and the environment inside the venue is kept seperate from the outside environment.

 

And remember public confidence, you've got to be seen to be taking precautions.  

 

BEST WISHES  

 

 

 

[jimmy white]

my brother , david has had the same news concerning his canaries

[Guest]

there is no vet assessment totl ban on all birds

this is from the government in force from tomorrow

 

[Guest]

Hi, Rose, I think like yourself birds coming into the UK to a show do pose a bigger risk than those coming from inside the UK & Ireland itself, given that H5N1 is on mainland Europe. Additionally, its 'two' doors the bird and its owner would need to get through - (1) out of home country (doubt if it would be allowed) and (2) into UK (also doubt if it would be allowed).

 

 

Now for those who visited the RPRA website first thing and saw the reference made to Gordon Chalmers' views on Avian Influenza there, and were puzzled by it, I emailed Gordon today:

 

 

Hi Gordon,  

 

Something on the RPRA website which (I think) may be misquoting you: > >

 

"UPDATE ON AVIAN INFLUENZA RESTRICTIONS >

 

Further to the announcement by the EU that all shows, markets, fairs and sales involving collections of birds across the EU are banned with immediate effect, DEFRA has advised that sales of birds from one holding ie a clearance sale from one loft, can go ahead. Anyone planning to attend a sale or auction is advised to contact the organiser to ascertain that the sale is going ahead. I have challenged DEFRA to clarify the situation regarding the status racing pigeons with a view to having the ban on activities lifted. This is in response to evidence from the Canadian vet Gordon Chalmers stating that racing pigeons cannot carry or catch AI. More information will be advised in due course.  

Peter Bryant, General Manager, The Royal Pigeon Racing Association ,

The Reddings, near Cheltenham, Glos GL51 6RN  

 

 

 

Hello Bruno:

The RPRA may be referring to my original article on pigeons and influenza - which at this time certainly needs updating.

Gordon. -----

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

Heathcote, you are skewing the measures in place by giving only half the picture. You are correct in saying that there has been a ban on shows, but there is also a 'licensing' system to allow shows to go ahead, under certain circumstances. As I said before, under certain circumstances I don't see a problem getting that license.

 

The DEFRA news release is already posted in full (Johnny11), a further extract of the relevant paragraph posted again for your information:

 

"483/05

 

 

27 October 2005

 

 

COMMISSION DECISION BANNING BIRDS AT MARKETS, SHOWS AND FAIRS

 

New measures to help prevent the spread of avian influenza have been agreed by the European Commission. Decision 2005/745/EC adopted by the EU on 21 October requires member states to ban birds at markets, shows, fairs and similar events. It may be possible to authorise some events to go ahead based on a veterinary risk assessment specific to that event."

 

 

[showman]

Surely the best precaution we can take at the moment is to adhere to the ban. Let's for one moment take a step back and look at the bigger picture. If this avian influenza contributes in any way to the pandemic people are suggesting, do we as pigeon fanciers want any facet of our hobby to be charged with aiding its' spread ? Difficult as it may be, let's put our 'needs' on the back-burner for a while, and look to the welfare of our fellow man. Pigeon keeping in whatever guise we follow has had its' troubles before, and we seem to have come through them, as we will this time. But this time it could be DEADLY serious for us as well. Peoples lives could depend on our actions.

[showman]

Surely the best precaution we can take at the moment is to adhere to the ban. Let's for one moment take a step back and look at the bigger picture. If this avian influenza contributes in any way to the pandemic people are suggesting, do we as pigeon fanciers want any facet of our hobby to be charged with aiding its' spread ? Difficult as it may be, let's put our 'needs' on the back-burner for a while, and look to the welfare of our fellow man. Pigeon keeping in whatever guise we follow has had its' troubles before, and we seem to have come through them, as we will this time. But this time it could be DEADLY serious for us as well. Peoples lives could depend on our actions.

[Guest]

Agree, Rose. Peter Bryant didn't invent avian flu (An Aberdeen chicken did    ).

 

And agree with Showman too that it is a very serious issue. I have believed from the beginning that the whole bird thing could become a very sensitive issue if not handled correctly. Public confidence too could be the deciding factor leading to split decisions, one show OK'd while another is KO'd. Could cause splits in the fancy.

 

But if licenses are granted, please use them well : People see footbaths on poultry farms and the like on TV, make sure they can see them at shows too. Belts & braces. Bound to be a reporter or two turn up somewhere, looking for dirt.