Poor Response To UK Bird Fairs Petition

A petition to the Prime Minister to safeguard the future of UK bird shows, has received a very poor response, eliciting only 956 signatures from the hobby sector of some 30,000 UK birdkeepers. As the petition closed earlier this month, the Government reiterated its position:

"It is the Government's intention to prohibit pet fairs where there are commercial sales of animals except those involving the sale of koi carp, racing pigeons or poultry. All other commercial sales of animals at pet fairs will be prohibited."

The Government's proposal to regulate all commercial selling of animals at pet fairs was taken in response to concerns about the standard of welfare at some events, particularly those involving exotic birds and reptiles.

The petition was launched by Andrew Meads of Safewings Bird Sanctuary. He has described the Government position as originating from those with a vested interest in stopping bird keeping and from those with an animal rights agenda.

Andrew argues that:

"Kept in the public domain all sales, shows and exhibitions are open to scrutiny and therefore will run to high standards and welfare."

He goes on:

"The very high numbers of birds kept in captivity in the UK and the minimal accounts of bad husbandry must be seen as a positive and that the majority of bird keepers are responsible and that in most, if not all cases bird sales and shows epitomise the standards in the fancy."

Disappointment over the poor response to the petition is palpable. As one poster to the birdkeeping forum Feathered Flyer put it:

"..if any birdkeeper out there never signed the petition because they thought what’s the point its never goanna do any good anyway, they need to hang there heads in shame as that’s the reason why the hobby is now in such a state as nothing was ever done (Much talk and winging but very little constructive action)." The petition, which closed earlier this month, It is appalling that DEFRA have taken the decision This cannot be a welfare issue as both racing pigeons and koi carp shows/sales will be permitted to continue. This decision has been made after pressure from anti-birdkeeping lobbyists. The prestigious National Cage Bird Show valued by every birdkeeper as a national institution ran for over 50 years under thorough veterinary supervision and this has already fallen to the whims of the extremist animal activists. Bird Sales/shows generate a responsible attitude towards all areas of the fancy and offer an unrivalled first-hand insight into all aspects of bird keeping. Any show open to the public not only highlights the value of birdkeeping as a hobby it provides a valuable educational opportunity for visitors to appreciate at close quarters the variety and beauty of these feathered jewels. So once again your hobby is under threat for no valid reason and hopefully you will do everything you are able to see this decision overturned. If you have not already done so please click on the link Petition to the Prime Minister and give the petition your support. It would also be very helpful if you can persuade everyone of your friends and family with a similar interest to do likewise. The deadline is 04 September 2007. This is another nail in the coffin of birdkeeping and if we dont fight back now we stand to lose our harmless and interesting hobby that brings us so much pleasure.