British Bird Gatherings Ban Lifted

Following confirmation of avian influenza in Suffolk, 12 November 2007, all bird gatherings, including falconry displays, bird fairs, markets, bird shows, exhibitions and pigeon races, were banned in Great Britain. Last Friday, 23 November, the ban was revoked outside the disease Restricted Zone.

However, a ban on bird gatherings in the Restricted Zone and a ban on birds from the Restricted Zone being taken to gatherings in the rest of the country remains in place.

The situation, says Defra, is being kept under review. It remains essential that poultry keepers constantly check their birds and report signs of any notifiable disease immediately.

UK bird keepers have described this year's national 'blanket ban' as an overkill reponse to isolated outbreaks of disease and worry that come next autumn a similar situation will arise, disrupting bird show schedules once again.

Discussions are commencing to address how the sector moves forward to safeguard the show season next year.