Author: David Parsons

Letters or emails from APH

I am aware that several fanciers have recently been randomly selected and have received letters from APHA requesting specific information which you have agreed to supply on request when you sign the “Owners Declaration”.

You are not alone. I receive these requests more regularly than most fanciers will following signing the export certificates. I have attached a picture of the latest which refers to the NFC Tarbes race.

Proof positive that the APHA checks are not just tick box exercises.

Please make sure you keep all necessary documents for the 3 years or longer.

To date no fanciers have been de-registered through failure to supply the required information. Read your “Owners Declaration” especially section 3 and make sure that you have everything organised so that you are not the first.

Declaration of a Protection Zone and a Surveillance Zone (H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) –near Dulverton, Tiverton and Minehead, Somerset(AIV 2025 51)

Just as it looked as though everything was getting quieter, we are now back up to 3 outbreaks centred around Tow Law, Glyn Ceiriog and Dulverton. Fanciers caught in these areas will not be able to race.

Virkon S -03/07/25

Virkon S, following further tests, has had its General Orders approval reinstated.

It is still NOT APPROVED under the Diseases of Poultry Order. I am sure that it is being re-tested but until approval confirmation is received it cannot be used to disinfect against Newcastle disease, Pigeon paramyxovirus or Avian Influenza.

There are suitable iodine based disinfectants but please remember they usually have a tendency to discolour everything yellow, especially if it was originally white.

Avian Influenza – Notifiable disease clearance

If anyone thought that everything we have to do to race pigeons from France was simply a tick box exercise, think again. I received the following from APHA:-

Failure to comply is not an option. Those that can race should be really grateful to those with lofts in Avian Influenza zones who have to forego entering the race.

Thank you to all fanciers affected by these zones. Your compliance with the restrictions means that racing can continue; albeit with a lower birdage.

Avian Influenza – 2nd report today 24/06/2025 21:04

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been confirmed at a premises near Glyn Ceiriog, Wrexham.

A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone have been put in place around the premises. Please check GOV.WALES for the latest information. The SZ for this case extends into Shropshire, England.