Ban on bird fairs to be lifted

A ban on bird gatherings, including sales, the racing of pigeons and falconry events is to be lifted, Defra announced today.

A temporary EU-wide ban on bird fairs was introduced on 28th October as a precautionary measure against the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

However exemptions were made and some bird shows were able go ahead but only if organisers obtained a specific license following a veterinary risk assessment.

The ban has been kept under review and following subsequent risk analyses, it is now considered appropriate for the ban in England and Wales to be lifted allowing shows, sales, falconry events and pigeon racing within the British Isles to go ahead under general licence.

Defra has consulted stakeholders on how the events can proceed while maintaining high levels of bio-security.