Guidance for NI -

[willie reynolds]

Please note that point four of our previous email regarding guidance for Northern Ireland is not relevant. (Additional rules for convoyors should be disregarded.) Ian Evans CEO.

Hi Everyone

Confirmation that the General Licence is now in place

Regards

Fred

From: Animal Disease Control and Trade Policy Branch <ADCTPB@daera-ni.gov.uk>
Sent: 21 April 2021 11:57
To: Phillips, Gayle <Gayle.Phillips@daera-ni.gov.uk>
Subject: Bird Gatherings

Colleagues

From noon today, low risk bird gatherings are now permitted in NI subject to certain conditions under General Licence. We will now be permitting gatherings of aviary birds, birds of prey and pigeons. We will also allow pigeon racing provided it is not from mainland Europe. We will not, at the moment, be permitting any gatherings of poultry, including anseriformes and galliformes not kept as poultry, although this will be kept under review.

I would be grateful if you could share this welcome news with your members . Attached and at the link below is the amended General Licence that we will be making available from noon today. Similar licences will be made available in England, Scotland and Wales.

General licence for bird gatherings | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (daera-ni.gov.uk)
As you are aware, the risk from disease has not disappeared which is further evidenced by the cases in GB over recent weeks. Excellent biosecurity is the most effective measure of disease control and the enhanced biosecurity requirements that were brought in as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) remain in place.

Thank you for your ongoing support in communicating this message during this crucial period.

Kind regards Jim Blee.

At today's meeting with representatives of DEFRA the Gatherings license to allow multi-loft training and racing was discussed. Before carrying out any multi-loft training or racing individuals and organisations must read and adhere to the requirements of the updated Avian Influenza code of practice (the latest update is 21st April - do not rely on previous versions for accuracy) . Failure to do so will jeopardise such activities. The code can be found here https://www.rpra.org/wp-content/uploads ... 210421.pdf Inland Racing will commence from 1st May 2021. This includes racing from liberation sites within the British Isles and its crown dependencies (including Guernsey). You will be able to basket/carry out race marking on the 30th April. Continental Racing is currently not permitted but will be reviewed at the end of April Although the license will be reinstated for species of birds considered low risk from 21st April we will not be able to carry out multi-loft training and racing prior to the dates stated above for the following reasons; 1. Multiple Loft Training - Under the terms of the license and the Avian Infleunza code of practice you have to inform the APHA of any gathering 7 days in advance. Therefore, assuming you have not already notified the APHA prior to today, the earliest you could carry out multiple loft training is 28th April. Details to comply with this can be found in the Avian Influenza Code of Practice 2. Racing - The RPRA is required to notify the APHA the site of all liberations, 10 days in advance. This will be completed today and therefore races booked for the 1st May will go ahead as planned. Please note that we were unable to inform members that the license would be reinstated today because we were not aware of it until the meeting earlier this afternoon. Ian Evans CEO