Avian Influenza

[Kyleakin Lofts]

AVIAN INFLUENZA AND PIGEONS – EXERCISING, SHOWING, SALES, TRAINING AND RACING The following guidance provides clarity for pigeon fanciers on the implications of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak in the UK – England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. For those fanciers whose pigeons are kept outside of the Protection / Surveillance Zones (10km zones around HPAI outbreaks): You are able to take part in all pigeon gatherings such as shows, sales, training and racing whilst adhering to the requirements of the general licence, as well as the enhanced biosecurity requirements in place across the UK as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone – Please refer to the RPRA website for the general licence requirements. You can exercise your birds as normal. For those fanciers that house pigeons within the Protection / Surveillance Zone (10km zones around HPAI outbreaks). If you live within a 10km Surveillance Zone around an outbreak you can still exercise your pigeons around the loft but you are unable to take part in any gatherings, i.e. shows, sales, training or racing until the restrictions within these zones have been lifted. There are currently three avian influenza Protection / Surveillance Zones remaining (listed below), which have the above stated restrictions. All are due to be lifted before the end of March, provided there is no further disease found within the zones. Any new outbreaks are likely to result in new Protection and Surveillance Zones being put in place. 1. Wyre, Lancashire 2. Redgrave, Suffolk 3. Haltwhistle, Northumberland To establish if your lofts/pigeons are housed within these 10km zones please refer to the interactive map located on the DEFRA website at http://www.gisdiseasemap.defra.gov.uk/intmaps/avian/map.jsp Ian Evans General Manager The Royal Pigeon Racing Association Reddings House, The Reddings, Nr Cheltenham,Glos. GL51 6RN. Office - 01452 713529

[Kyleakin Lofts]

I just got the text below, roughly translated, from the Dutch NPO.

In the French part, what I think it is saying is that in areas where there is a restricted zone in force then racing etc. is prohibited but games (races) are permitted outside those areas. So, racing from France looks possible at this stage.

 

 

 

 

Avian flu measures Netherlands, Belgium and France

Although there is no protection and surveillance zones have been established in the Netherlands because of bird flu, the measures that the government took previously, still in force. This is because the risk remains high on bird flu contamination by wild waterfowl, and one wants to minimize the risk of contamination.

However pigeons without measures. This may just fly out!

 

From Belgium today we received the message that there doves again allowed to fly without restrictions. Starting next week, there may again africhtingen and flights are operated.

 

France, the measures formulated as follows:

The matches with pigeons with departure, arrival, overflight or participation of pigeons coming from an ecological or administrative area, which are subject by the head of the department on measures against avian influenza in wild birds are prohibited. However, games are permitted outside the infected zones.