Avian scare

[Roland]

From Pippa

Dear pigeon fancier friends,

 

Due to a case of avian influenza in Germany, France has taken measure regarding Poultry and pigeon races. As Belgium, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany, etc...use France a lot to organise their races, any decision taken by France regarding the pigeon sport can be crucial for the continuity of the current racing season.

 

According to a press communiqué from the french Ministery ( of 24th of June - yesterday ) which you can read here ( in French )

http://www.agriculture.gouv.fr/spip/leministere.leministrelecabinet.communiquesdepresse_a7106.html

it is forbidden now to race pigeons over certain departements* in France.

 

In practice ?

What does it mean now in practice for the pigeon racers in Europe ? Well certain pigeon races, like Marseille or Orange, which are situated in these departments that are forbidden for pigeon racers, possibly will be cancelled...Other races like Barcelona have less danger to be cancelled, because the pigeons have to fly over zones in departements which are not on the forbidden list.

 

On this very moment the president of the french pigeon federation Mr. De Sousa is negotiating with the French Ministery to have favourable conditions for the pigeon races.

 

As soon as we know more about this, we will keep you informed.

 

A lot of people are discussing about these matters on our discussion forum :

Avian Influenza-section : : http://www.pipa.be/forum/viewforum.php?f=14

Season 2007-section : http://www.pipa.be/forum/viewforum.php?f=16

General-section : http://www.pipa.be/forum/viewforum.php?f=1

 

Kindest regards,

 

[Bilco]

Two cygnets found dead, tested positive for H5. French MAFF have quarantined certain areas and no birds will be permitted to be released within those areas.  The RPRA will advise tomorrow on DEFRA restrictions (if any) and for how long they may remain in force.

[Guest]

Waiting on confirmation, but the restrictions appear to me far more draconian than said here - racing pigeons are not permitted to overfly certain areas of France, three of these regions are on their English Channel Coast so it appears impossible to garantee any liberation from France back to UK or Ireland would not overfly these area.

 

As I said, waiting on confirmation, first hand info from those in front line.

[THE FIFER]

what will happen to birds heldover in france just now, if they are in any of the no go areas,

[Guest]

the welsh  south east combine are in bonn this week450mls to me.....basketing tomorrow night  for lib thursday....looks likely thats out now.....the place where the swans were found is bavaria...paul

[Guest]

nothing has been noted yet but i spose its on its way....our fed has said they have not recieved any info about stopping the race...paul

[Guest]

Are the green areas they are showing on that map the restricted areas bruno

 

Hi Rose, the green areas on the map are the restricted areas. My French isn't too hot but looks like : racing pigeons not to overfly these areas. Difficult if not impossible to guarantee, and personal opinion, wholly unjustified and ineffective, won't stop spread, especially when there's nothing to spread in the first place..

 

Well looking at those green areas along the french coast can say goodbye to our channel racing  :-/

[Roland]

The aurgument  of DAFRA - DAK - Is that a bird may just land there abouts and pick it up on it's feet etc. and carry it home ... plus a bit to that  which makes a case, faint chance  I know But they say 'Have to protect our shores' etc.

[johno]

would it not be as suggested here better to wait and see what the rpra slant is on this issue. what is the desperaton to look for problems. the rpra has since the beginning of the avian flu situation been the main reliable source of information to the pigeon fancy. nothing on this matter on rpra site as yet. this would indicate to me they have not been made aware by the poweres hat be. this in turn would lead me to belive we are jumping the gun.

[Guest]

the welsh homing union this morning stated that they have not recieved any restrictions to our bonn race ,basketing goes ahead tonight as planned....just hope they dont get to germany and they telll them go home....paul.

[Pompey Mick]

just had word from ths Solent Fed Sec last night. Our Picauville race sceduled for 7th July has been changed by the RPRA to Falaise. Saintes &  Bergerac are OK up to now.