Mellie
Well-known member
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Ireland relaxes bird flu measures for pigeon races from France
June 17, 2006
Bird flu protection measures are being eased by Ireland to give pigeon fanciers the go-ahead to race their birds from northern France, Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan said.
She has given the green light to pigeon racing to Ireland from three areas of France: Brittany, Normandy and the Pays de la Loire.
Coughlan said a risk assessment by her ministry's experts had concluded the racing did not present any increased threat of introduction of bird flu at this time.
"The assessment had taken into account the significant reduction in the incidence of the virus throughout the European Union as well the relatively small area in France in which pigeons may be released to race and the distance of several hundred kilometres between that area and those locations where there were cases/outbreaks of H5N1 in France earlier in the year."
Coughlan's statement said she would also allow racing pigeons from British-ruled Northern Ireland to transit through the Republic of Ireland to France.
Ireland relaxes bird flu measures for pigeon races from France
June 17, 2006
Bird flu protection measures are being eased by Ireland to give pigeon fanciers the go-ahead to race their birds from northern France, Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan said.
She has given the green light to pigeon racing to Ireland from three areas of France: Brittany, Normandy and the Pays de la Loire.
Coughlan said a risk assessment by her ministry's experts had concluded the racing did not present any increased threat of introduction of bird flu at this time.
"The assessment had taken into account the significant reduction in the incidence of the virus throughout the European Union as well the relatively small area in France in which pigeons may be released to race and the distance of several hundred kilometres between that area and those locations where there were cases/outbreaks of H5N1 in France earlier in the year."
Coughlan's statement said she would also allow racing pigeons from British-ruled Northern Ireland to transit through the Republic of Ireland to France.