Sally Furniss
Well-known member
Bird flu ban hits charity events
PIGEON fanciers in Weymouth and Portland say bird flu restrictions are hitting charities in the pocket.
Neville Walbridge of Sharpitts, Portland, a lifelong pigeon racer and owner of 120 birds, said the ban, sparked by an outbreak in Norfolk, affected homing society fundraisers.
Mr Walbridge, 69, said Defra stopped the poultry industry holding shows even though some were almost 300 miles from the outbreak.
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He added: "What people don't realise is pigeon clubs raise money for charities like cancer research.
"We've been stopped because we can't gather with our birds.
"There are 15 members of the Portland homing society, Weymouth has about 30, Dorchester and Crossways another 20 and there's more in Wareham."
Defra has just lifted its ban on bird gatherings, shows and pigeon racing.
Gatherings are still not permitted in the zones around farms where the deadly H5N1 virus was found or the restricted area which covers Suffolk and most of Norfolk.
Birds from those areas cannot be transported to events such as falconry displays, fairs, markets, shows, exhibitions and pigeon races.
President of the South west region's Royal Pigeon Racing Association Colin Bateman said fanciers keep their regularly-vaccinated birds in lofts which are in better condition than many people's houses.
He said the enthusiasts would be the first to spot any sign of infection and take action.
He added: "Pigeons are not classed as poultry.
"They're caged birds or pets and we've sent evidence to Defra proving they don't contract the disease, but have heard nothing back."
http://www.thisisdorset.net/display.var.1857257.0.bird_flu_ban_hits_charity_events.php
PIGEON fanciers in Weymouth and Portland say bird flu restrictions are hitting charities in the pocket.
Neville Walbridge of Sharpitts, Portland, a lifelong pigeon racer and owner of 120 birds, said the ban, sparked by an outbreak in Norfolk, affected homing society fundraisers.
Mr Walbridge, 69, said Defra stopped the poultry industry holding shows even though some were almost 300 miles from the outbreak.
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He added: "What people don't realise is pigeon clubs raise money for charities like cancer research.
"We've been stopped because we can't gather with our birds.
"There are 15 members of the Portland homing society, Weymouth has about 30, Dorchester and Crossways another 20 and there's more in Wareham."
Defra has just lifted its ban on bird gatherings, shows and pigeon racing.
Gatherings are still not permitted in the zones around farms where the deadly H5N1 virus was found or the restricted area which covers Suffolk and most of Norfolk.
Birds from those areas cannot be transported to events such as falconry displays, fairs, markets, shows, exhibitions and pigeon races.
President of the South west region's Royal Pigeon Racing Association Colin Bateman said fanciers keep their regularly-vaccinated birds in lofts which are in better condition than many people's houses.
He said the enthusiasts would be the first to spot any sign of infection and take action.
He added: "Pigeons are not classed as poultry.
"They're caged birds or pets and we've sent evidence to Defra proving they don't contract the disease, but have heard nothing back."
http://www.thisisdorset.net/display.var.1857257.0.bird_flu_ban_hits_charity_events.php