As you should be aware DEFRA has reissued the general Licence wef 1 August 2006. Coupled with that I have also viewed the current risk assessment available on the DEFRA website. There is also an interesting document available on their website concerning the risk assessment in public parks and open waters due to wild bird exposure. There is nothing in these documents that I can see that would preclude us to continue racing into the Channel Islands and Northern France for young bird racing. I have therefore addressed these anomalies to DEFRA stating that their assessment seems to be based arbitrarily on a date (31st July) rather than on a scientific basis. I await a response.

You will wish to be aware of the news that has just arrived from the European Commission regarding low pathogenic avian influenza in the Netherlands.

The Dutch authorities have detected low pathogenic H7 avian influenza in poultry in the central region of Gelderse Valley. A 3km restriction zone has been established, with all necessary transportation restrictions in place.

There are 5 commercial poultry farms within a 1 km radius of the index farm, all of which have been visited and samples taken. One of these farms, which has contact with the index farm, has returned a positive test result for low pathogenic H7 avian influenza, and all animals on this farm (approximately 25,000 chickens) will be culled.

I will update as and when I have any further news

Regards
Peter Bryant
General Manager
The Royal Pigeon Racing Association