Defra Latest on Avian Flu

The latest statement from DEFRA in relation to Avian Influenza included below along with the relevant extract from the AI Code of Practice. The following is an extract from the Avian Influenza Code of Practice for Pigeon Racing. For more info please visit https://www.rpra.org/avian-influenza-co ... on-racing/ Please note that multi loft training remains banned throughout the UK. As soon as we have an update in relation to the General License for Gatherings you will be updated. AI Code of Practice extract 2) In Outbreak areas: where an Infected Premises has been confirmed and your loft is within the Protection or Surveillance Zones surrounding this: • You must follow any restrictions imposed. You may need to apply for licences to undertake certain actions – information on the restrictions and the licences will bemade available on the government websites. • In a 10km Surveillance Zone you can let your birds out for exercise, though they must not have an open loft to freely come and go, which would increase the chance of wild birds entering your loft and contaminating it. • If your birds are located in the 3km Protection Zone you will be able to exercise your birds (not with an open loft) once preliminary cleaning and disinfection has been completed at the Infected Premises and the initial epidemiological investigations have been completed, to ensure there are no high risk contacts to your loft (for example workers, veterinary visits, feed deliveries, visitors, etc). If the time to complete the preliminary cleaning and disinfection and epidemiological investigations is long then if you think there may be welfare issues for your birds, exercising may be allowed following agreement from an official veterinary welfare request and obtaining a licence to do so. • If your birds are located in the 3km Protection Zone you cannot train or race your birds until the larger Surveillance Zone has been lifted. Generally it takes around 30- 40 days after the outbreak has been confirmed to lift these zones, but may be significantly longer if further outbreaks occur in the area. DEFRA UPDATE Dear Stakeholder, New Cases of Avian Influenza On 27th March 2021 Avian influenza H5N8 was confirmed in broiler chickens at a commercial premises near Uttoxeter, East Staffordshire. On the 29th March 2021 this was confirmed as a highly pathogenic strain (HPAI H5N8). A 3km Protection and 10km Surveillance Zone has been put in place around the infected premises. On 26th March 2021 Avian influenza H5N3 was confirmed in turkey breeders at a commercial premises near Winsford, Cheshire West and Chester. On 27th March 2021 this was confirmed as a low pathogenic strain (LPAI H5N3). A 1km Restricted Zone has been put in place around the infected premises. Further details on the latest situation and the measures that apply in each of these disease control zones can be found on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu What does this mean for the lifting of the housing measures and the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ)? In light of the two most recent cases of avian influenza we urgently reviewed the risk of avian influenza to both wild and kept birds and the implications of preceding with the lifting of the housing measures component of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ). Following the review of the risk the compulsory housing measures for poultry and captive birds will still be lifted across GB at 23:59 on the 31st March 2021. The AIPZs requiring enhanced biosecurity will remain in force across GB but Wednesday 31 March 2021 will be the last day poultry and other captive birds will need to be housed (housing restrictions end 23:59 31 March 2021). Bird gatherings will remain prohibited. However, housing remains mandatory for all poultry and captive birds which are located in the 3km Protection Zone surrounding an infected premises. Check where disease control zones are currently located and if you are in zone on our interactive map The new cases of avian influenza emphasise that high standards of biosecurity remain essential as infection may still be present in the environment. All bird keepers (whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard flock) are legally required to meet enhanced biosecurity requirements under the AIPZ to protect their birds from this highly infectious virus. To assist all bird keepers in complying with these rule we have published both biosecurity guidance and a biosecurity self-assessment checklist. If bird keepers intend to allow their birds outside after 31 March they must take action now to prepare the outside areas. Read our guidance on how to prepare for safe release of your birds. In particular it is critical that bird keepers prevent contact either directly or indirectly between their birds and wild birds including: when birds are released they must be in a fenced area; where necessary ponds and watercourses must be fenced off to minimise contact with wild birds; taking action to protect bedding, feed and water sources at all times from contact with both wild birds and bird faeces. Biosecurity guidance and information on the latest avian influenza situation are available at: England: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu Scotland: www.gov.scot/avianinfluenza Wales: https://gov.wales/avian-influenza-bird-flu Ian Evans CEO

Good grief David  a bit of a mess Me Thinks.

Comming at a very bad time for our  sport, gives little time to think.

Just hope it gets sorted out, or feel some fanciers will call it a day not being able to plan anything, almost from day to day.

Regards.

Avian flu. Man made by George Bush Junior and ole Rumpy. Also the Senators gave $8 billion to them to set it up.

When did george bush sell gas company?
In 1984, Bush sold the company, hurt in the wake of the 1979 energy crisis, to Spectrum 7, another Texas gas exploration firm.
During this time, he was a cheerleader and a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon, serving as the president of the fraternity during his senior year. Bush became a member of the Skull and Bones society as a senior. Bush was a rugby union player and was on Yale's 1st XV.

When did george hw bush start his industry?
Bush began his industry career in 1977, when he established Arbusto Energy, an oil and gas exploration company he financed with his education trust fund surplus and money from other investors, including Dorothy Bush, Lewis Lehrman, William Henry Draper III, Bill Gammell, and James R. Bath, the last of whom represented Salem bin Laden, a half-brother.

Bin Ladin's family was within 300 yards of the twin towers when the C.I.A. - Acording to the then president George bush Jnr! Senior was with the Bin Ladin family at the time 300 yards away!
only plane that lefy the U.S.A. that day was the one taking the Bin Lardin family home!!! fact
Bush's Former Oil Company Linked To bin Laden Family (rense.com)

Jnr, sold his oil shares to invest in Avian flu, and then of course after being found guilty in the Helsinki courts and fine $5000 he made a few new laws, so he and rummpy couldn't be taken to court, or task again... Bringing out Swine flu. Yes Avian with a very slight alteration.

MISTY wrote:

Good grief David  a bit of a mess Me Thinks.

Comming at a very bad time for our  sport, gives little time to think.

Just hope it gets sorted out, or feel some fanciers will call it a day not being able to plan anything, almost from day to day.

Regards.

Me thinks the same here & I only read 1/4 of what David posted as such .
*****

i havnt a clue what it says, havnt read it .........havn`t the patience to read through all that

copy and paste is a wonderful thing

i havnt a clue what it says, havnt read it .........havn`t the patience to read through all that

copy and paste is a wonderful thing

well france has gone into lockdown again despite any avian flu worries so dont look good does it ,hopefully a few races can be arranged for the summer eh

oldstrain wrote:

well france has gone into lockdown again despite any avian flu worries so dont look good does it ,hopefully a few races can be arranged for the summer eh

Think we will be lucky not to have another lock down.

People just think it a joke to ignore everything and do their own thing.

The avian flue is just another nail in the prospects of racing.

I have found that although we have had to lock down etc; the time seems to fly bye.

The main problem is we have no idea from day to day exactly what the position is.

We could have racing one week and racing be cancelled the next week.

Never known anything like it.

Regards.

had to go to caldicot today across the severn bridge only a 40 minute drive and the motorway was packed with trippers heading further south ...over 15 kids in our street this last 2 weeks mixing ,yes be lucky not to see lockdown again

Its on its way Darren

markevans wrote:

Its on its way Darren

Will second that Mark think we will be in lockdown

What i would have liked to see was the restrictions stay in place till 3 weeks after the last person in the country had been vaccinated

By then at least 40% would of the population would have had there 2nd vaccination and the country would have been in a stronger position to fight the spread off the virus JMO

The problem is the vacine does not actually stop you getting the virus, just like the flue jab.

What it does is, hopefully, reduce the effects it has on anyone who does get it.

It is also a fact that those who show no adverse effects but still carry the virus can pass it on.

The very best sinario at this time is that those who do have it do not pass it on.

That is why the  restrictions which the idiots are ignoring were introduced.

We will never irradicate it completely the only hope is to contain it and have a better means of treatment and less infected.

There has been similar health problems in the past involving dangerous deceases, however, times regarding travel and different life styles has never been as of now all of which increases the problem.

  
Think to save the economy and our sanity if people do not comply with the advice and law it will be decided to have a free for all and see what happens.

Regards.

under government rules, two people fully vaccinated , who do not live in the same house, cannot meet in doors .............work that one out .

Don Webb wrote:

What i would have liked to see was the restrictions stay in place till 3 weeks after the last person in the country had been vaccinated

By then at least 40% would of the population would have had there 2nd vaccination and the country would have been in a stronger position to fight the spread off the virus  JMO

Sounds all OK to me here etc Don from my local experience. Don't somehow like your chances there thou I'm with your locals just being people as they are type of thing .

David wrote:

under government rules, two people fully vaccinated , who do not live in the same house, cannot meet in doors .............work that one out .

It's all crazy etc David we can now pack, 75,000 into the local park here to watch a football match as such get 75 down at the beach & everyone would get a fine .

COVID-19 RACING GUIDANCE FOR 2021
3 April 2021
The following information has been emailed to English clubs/organisations on 3rd April 2021. If for any reason your secretary has not received the communication, please bring the content to their attention. Guidance for Scottish, Welsh and Irish organisations will follow in due course.

Dear Secretary,

In preparation for the 2021 season, guidance has been developed for clubs and organisations. A list of Guidance for Clubs can be downloaded from our downloads page.

You will then be able to access and download the following Guidance
1. Race Marking
2. Clock Striking

Please note that if you are a convoying organisation, the following documents are also relevant:
3. Guidance for Convoying Organisations
4. Additional rules for Convoyers (please note that guidance for Welsh and Scottish liberation sites will be published in due course)
5. Risk Assessment for Convoyers – This is a requirement for the use of liberation sites.

Guidance should be strictly implemented.

If you are a convoying organisation then you should bring the relevant documents to the attention of your convoying team(s) and ensure that all marking stations are aware of the requirements of the guidance listed above.

Please note that in addition to moving to Step 2 of the Government’s road map, referred to in the guidance, we will not be permitted to start racing until Defra reinstate the General Licence for Gatherings.

Ian Evans
CEO

was speaking with our sec earlier and apparently the bicc have issued a programme for north road racing ,good to see one of the big organisations making alternative races for the fanciers instead of sitting and waiting for eu/french to give the go ahead ,i dont think channel racing is gonna happen this year jmo hope i am wrong for those that participate in such races

anyone know whats happening with racing, its supposed to start in a few weeks time ........?

Well if it starts later, then that is the only bonus.
Maybe it would start a betterment for our pigeons, and get back to normbility.

always seems to be some problem, if it isnt brexit, its covid or avian flu .......

if it isnt brexit, its covid or avian flu ....... [/quote]

yep thanks George Bush jnr.

no go from defra as of yet ,not even allowed to mix 2 lofts or more on a toss so i think training is permitted outside the exclusion zones if you are on your own ,its everyones responsability to do the right thing to ensure it does not spread so if yer training check your area is not excluded ...mind some selfish half wits will carry on regardless trying to get ahead of the game to win the first race

Everything depends on the Gathering Licence.

If not lifted there will be no racing as far as I can make out.

DEFRA will not be bothered about our sport and will play things safe.

Potential racing is just around the corner and DEFRA should make it's mind up so that fanciers know where they stand.

Impossible for fanciers to take into consideration all the possibilities of the on off scenario.  

Regards.