Pigeon shows to be licensed following flu scare

Pigeon shows are to be allowed to take place in Northern Ireland under licence, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) has confirmed.

The move follows a recent ban on bird fairs, markets, shows and other bird gatherings by DARD as part of Avian Influenza preventive measures legislation.

At the time the ban was brought in, the Department had introduced a general licence system allowing shows of certain types of caged birds and single loft pigeon sales to proceed, provided that the conditions of the relevant general licence were fulfilled.

Outlining the background to the change in relation to pigeons, a Department spokesperson said: "The Department met with a cross-section of pigeon fancier organisations on Friday 7 November to discuss the implications of the recent bird show ban and to gain a more detailed insight into the nature, pattern and scale of events involving pigeons affected by the EU ban.

"In light of our discussions and following the completion of a veterinary risk assessment into the threat posed by the gathering together of pigeons for show purposes, the Department has decided to license such shows to go ahead, subject to the show organisers complying with a number of conditions set out in a Departmental general licence."

Referring to the co-operation received from pigeon fanciers throughout Northern Ireland, the spokesperson said: "DARD is grateful for the co-operation it has received from local pigeon representative groups and individual fanciers in recent weeks, as we have sought to implement the various measures designed to protect Northern Ireland's poultry industry from the threat of Avian Influenza.

"Looking further ahead, we will work with stakeholders to develop appropriate provisions that could enable pigeon racing to be licensed."

A copy of the general licence relating to pigeon shows can be seen on the DARD Internet site: www.dardni.gov.uk. This site also contains information on Avian influenza, including a Question and Answer brief on the ban on bird fairs, markets, shows and other gatherings.

(MB/SP)