AVIAN FLU

[preston powerblast]

Personally I think they should put a tempory ban in place just to see how things pan out.

I know its a great shame and another blow to the fancy, but in my eyes its better to safe than sorry.

Some fanciers in my location are still letting their birds out and have said they will still do it regardless.

They think it will not affect them.

On the show front if they still go ahead then I think they should make sure everything is well disinfected including carrying crates and show pens. But it would be hard to regulate an accumilation of birds and people.

But there are a lot of fanciers out there who just couldnt care less, they dont think it will affect them or their birds.

[Guest]

are the slaes also banned>? anyone know?

[Guest]

Gez, I don't see how sales can be exempt - the ban applies to all movement of birds. As P/Powerblast pointed out, some people are still allowing their pigeons to fly free, coming into contact with wild birds. If these birds come into a saleroom, and are carrying the virus on their feathers, then everybody that handles them is cross-infected, and they in turn cross-infect those birds in the sale which may have been confined to their loft and came to the sale virus-free.

 

The scenario then is cross-infected pigeons and people leaving the saleroom and spreading the virus to other parts of the UK and beyond.

 

 

[Robert Hyde]

Just had an update from the Welsh Homing Union. Pigeon sales can go ahead, but they must be from one loft, and have pedigrees at the sale, of each bird.Shows are still banned unless you get a special licence from Defra.

[Guest]

'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 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.'

Peter Bryant

General Manager

RPRA

[Guest]

 

"Due to the recent press release from the RPRA, would all intending visitors and phone bidders please note our auctions will take place as normal. Venue, times, date etc as advertised. All fanciers will be able to attend as normal. The British Homwing World and The Racing Pigeon Magazines of 27/10/2005 carry wrong information informing the fancy that auctions sales are banned. This is not correct and will be rectified in the magazines the following week.

Mark Evans

 

[Guest]

 

"Due to the recent press release from the RPRA, would all intending visitors and phone bidders please note our auctions will take place as normal. Venue, times, date etc as advertised. All fanciers will be able to attend as normal. The British Homwing World and The Racing Pigeon Magazines of 27/10/2005 carry wrong information informing the fancy that auctions sales are banned. This is not correct and will be rectified in the magazines the following week.

Mark Evans

 

[Guest]

The following has been clarified by Peter Bryant of the Royal Racing Pigeon Association.

[Guest]

The following has been clarified by Peter Bryant of the Royal Racing Pigeon Association.

[PIGEON_MAN]

"Due to the recent press release from the RPRA, would all intending visitors and phone bidders please note our auctions will take place as normal. Venue, times, date etc as advertised. All fanciers will be able to attend as normal. The British Homwing World and The Racing Pigeon Magazines of 27/10/2005 carry wrong information informing the fancy that auctions sales are banned. This is not correct and will be rectified in the magazines the following week.

Mark Evans

IF THIS IS CORRECT I THINK THAT IT IS A ABSOLUTE FARCE IF THESE SALES GO AHEAD.

I THINK THE LAST POSTING BY SHOWMAN IS SPOT ON.

[Guest Doostalker]

When I heard about the ban on the evening of Tuesday 25th October, I immediately contacted the other members of the Dunoon International Show Committee. We agreed that we should cancel this year’s show which was scheduled for the weekend of 2-4 December. This decision is made in the knowledge that this year we had anticipated 1000 birds from throughout the UK, which would have made the show our best yet.

 

Our decision was based on a number of factors, not least that I have been in touch with the Scottish Executive, and they have advised that the ban comes into effect at midnight Friday 28 October, and event organisers can only continue with their event if they obtain a licence from the Scottish Executive.  However, it will not be known what the licensing requirements are until after deliberation on the issue by Government Vets. It is anticipated that this process will be completed within the week. The Executive have said that any licensing regime will be in operation for an "indefinite" period. Breach of the ban may result in a 6 months jail sentence or a £5,000 fine.

 

The show committee are of the view that it is unlikely that a licence could be obtained in the relatively short period before the show weekend.  Given the serious implications for public health we feel that it is important to be seen to be acting responsibly and therefore blunt any criticism from those out with the fancy, who may wish to benefit from this situation.

 

Obviously, adverse criticism will accrue for the fancy if any event organisers do not apply for a licence, or for whatever reason do not fully comply with the requirements of a licence once granted. By cancelling this year's show, we feel we will send out the correct message to the fancy in general and our community as a whole. The show committee think that it is advisable to wait to see what the effects of obtaining a licence may be. As licensing seems to be with us now for the foreseeable future, if not for evermore, this cancellation will give us time to ensure that our show in 2006 can take place successfully, in full compliance with any licensing regime, and avoiding any adverse criticism from any source.

 

Perhaps the only pleasing aspect to this situation has been that I have received several phone calls from people who still want to come to Dunoon for the weekend. In light of this we have decided to go ahead with the social aspects of the weekend, which include the Civic Reception on the evening of Friday 2 December and the Gala Scottish Evening on Saturday 3 December.  At this Gala Evening there will also be the presentation of the Annual Racing Awards for the Scottish Homing Union and the presentation of prizes to the winners in this year's Scottish One Loft Race. We also hope to provide additional events on the weekend for those who attend.  Our promotion for the show has always been to emphasise the bringing together of fanciers and friends from all over the UK, and the extension to them of a real Scottish Highland welcome. (As they say in the native Gaelic of Argyll, “Ceud mile Failte” or in English, “One hundred thousand welcomes.”)

 

Anyone wishing to come to Dunoon for the weekend can find out more about it by contacting me.

[methilman]

do you think the show of the year will go ahead this year

[Guest shadow]

It looks doubtfull. Racing pigeon show looks doubtfull as well

quality not quantity

[Guest]

the racing pigeon show is still a goer,e mailed for confirmation show was cancelled or still on reply still going ahead as planned,so whats all the hassle about a rule for one and a rule for others.6 months jail or £5,000 fine pigeon sales still going ahead and a recent statement saying that pigeons cannot catch h5 after being tested,who started to high light all this?what was their purpose?transporting hens across the country in large lorries,what kind of containment are they showing,why must we always suffer because pigeons are not poultry,yet we inject, the farmer down the road with hens does not,yet an outbreak of Newcastles disease has left us with an extra £60 cost to our hobby whilst the people who should be more responsible do not inject,do they get compensation from the goverment?The eu has gone mental and the british goverment are no better.Ihope the people on this posting will be able to live with themselves when the the local poultry farms go out of business because there has been no prove about pigeons catching it?.but families that go bankrupt because of certain peoples slavering is becoming a reality sales have slump in chicken,duck and turkey sales this past two weeks,low risk this was the outcome of the risk assesment by the health ministry why do people not believe them,now look where we the pigeon fancier is what next no racing next season from france,and all fed and club racing suspended,for what?prove non just all rumour?

[preston powerblast]

I am sorry Lindsay. but I think youve got your facts a little wrong.

Farmer down the road does not inject???

Farmer down the road sprays his birds with a live vaccine, when they prene themselves the bird picks up a mild form of the disease then the said bird builds up a natural immunity to the disease.

Poultry farms have to adhere to strict legislations.

The pigeon fancier does not.

Dont try and compare the two, because you cannot.

Poutlry farm cycle is 9 to 12 weeks. Birds in birds out.

[Henrik]

How come if this is supposed to be an EU ban that a pigeon show is being held this weekend in Germany and the reply from the organisers was that the ban does not affect Pigeons? Any clues?

[showman]

I think Lindsay, I'd like you to expand on your comment and I quote ' I hope the people on this posting will be able to live with themselves when the local poultry farms go out of business because there has been no prove about pigeons catching it'

I look forward to your next posting.

[showman]

Have just read on 'coming events' section for October, that Scottish East Show Racer Society has a show scheduled for 30th October. Anybody know what's happening there ?

[PIGEON_MAN]

I THINK THIS THING IS FAST BECOMMING THE BIGGEST JOKE OF ALL TIME,ONE MINUTE THERE ARE NO SHOWS,SALES E.T.C. THEN YOU HEAR OF SALES GOING AHEAD TODAY SHOW GOING AHEAD IN GERMANY,JUST WHO IS CALLING THE SHOTS HERE,WHO IS ACTUALLY PUTTING OUT THE CORRECT RULES THAT SHOULD BE ADHERED TO.THE E.U,

DEFRA OR THE R.P.R.A. ITS JUST ONE BIG SHAMBLES.

[showman]

Since my last posting, Bayview has contacted me to inform all Sct.East. SRS shows cancelled until further notice.

Thanks Bayview for hasty reply, much appreciated.

Paul.

[mealybar]

The Old Comrades Show will be going ahead, with or without show birds, depending on how the licensing turns out, as will the Edinburgh Show. Dunoon has cancelled the show birds.

 

I'm told today the German Show has gone ahead this weekend (and next) under licence.

[PIGEON_MAN]

WOULDN,T PEOPLE AGREE THAT THE CONSEQUENCES OF HAVING SHOWS WITHOUT BIRDS COULD BE JUST AS GREAT AS HAVING THEM WITH THATS IF WE ARE TO BELIEVE

WHAT AS BEEN WRITTEN.SURELY THERE AS GOT TO BE A COMPLETE BAN ON EVERYTHING OR JUST CARRY ON AS NORMAL IT IS NO GOOD JUST DOING THINGS BY HALF.AS ANY ONE BEEN TO A PIGEON SALE TODAY AS I BELIEVE THAT THEY WERE STILL GOING AHEAD.

[Webmaster]

Forwarded:

 

"Bruno here. Gordon Chalmers provided this jpeg of a New York newspaper's front page on feral pigeons, including Dr Panigraphy's views on avian flu and pigeons."

[frank-123]

i thought it would be wise to cancel all shows and sales until 31 st dec

if a pigeon catches this you bet there will be mass hysteria

there will be a ten mile radius round an infected premises think how many lofts that would wipe out how many lofts would re-stock

keep your birds in there will be shows next year!!!!!!!

keep your money in there will be sales next year!!!!!

rpra shu whu take the lead no movement stop all transfers

[showman]

Anyone seeking clarification of the Dunoon International Show should read the previous posting on this thread (Reply 373) placed by Doostalker. It leaves you in no doubt as to our position.