Avian Flu

[Walter swanston]

The latest advice I can find (Solway Fed. Web site) is that birds can fly out as from 28th. February.It goes on to talk about enhanced bio security which in effect means no contact with wild birds,maybe hard to ensure.Also advice to pigeon fanciers is that organisations should consider where they release birds from.I am not sure but Ithink they want birds to be released where this is little contact with wild birds....difficult??.All this goes onto 30th.April.As I say all this informatio is available through the Solway Fed website.I hope I am getting this wrong but I

am a bit confused.

[philg50]

The whole thing has been poorly handled SHU for example should have been informing Feds and they in turn should be instructing us the members as it is its just please yersel some letting them out others like me letting them out to clean only????

[Novice]

I was always under the impression that the SHU informed the fancy that there was no restriction on allowing pigeons to fly freely.

 

I also read that the Irish fanciers have no restriction on inland racing but that channel racing is disallowed But will be reviewed closer to the time.

[big blue bar]

Spoke to a free range chicken owner who's chickens were wandering free , why is your chickens out I asked and her answer was "the restrictions says keep them in if it's practicle" and she says it's not so they are out , on a farm where wild birds could come into contact .

[DJL]

The SHU have today forwarded an email received from the Scottish Government dated today. This is a new declaration which runs from 28th February until 30th April. The full declaration is available on the Scottish government website. Basically it says birds can be let out provided enhanced biosecurity measures are in place. I assume all federation secretaries have received the same email.

[Walter swanston]

Yes that's the one it is mostly directed towards poultry keepers but to me it leaves the whole business uncertain for fanciers but there is no clear guidance because of the uncertainty.

[DJL]

Yes that's the one it is mostly directed towards poultry keepers but to me it leaves the whole business uncertain for fanciers but there is no clear guidance because of the uncertainty.

 

I don't think pigeons are too much of a concern. They are more concerned about the effects on the free range poultry industry. As long as we keep our pigeons from mixing with wild birds and carry out the biosecurity measures we should be ok

[Pompey Mick]

http://news.gov.scot/news/avian-influenza-6