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North West Euro
MP Brian Simpson has extended his considerable sporting interest by
supporting local pigeon racers in a dispute with the Government
over where they can race their pigeons from. Last year the UK Government
banned pigeons racing from continental Europe to Britain because of
the risk of bird flu.
Now after Mr Simpson’s intervention, the European Union has
confirmed that the risk of avian flu being spread from pigeons is
very low indeed and he believes the UK Government may have over
reacted in banning continental pigeon racing.
“No doubt the UK
Government thought it was acting in the best interests of the
country, but what is clearly apparent now is that pigeon are low
risk in regards to avian flu and the decision to ban continental
pigeon racing was wrong.” said the Labour MEP.
In a written
reply to a question submitted by Mr Simpson, Commissioner Vassillou
stated that “the European Food Safety Authority concluded that it
was very unlikely for pigeons to become infected with avian flu
viruses.” Further the
Commissioner pointed out that even if pigeon were infected by the
highly contagious H5NI virus, there is no evidence that they have
the ability to pass on the virus to other species.
“Pigeon racing
is still quite popular in and around the North West and the UK
Government ban badly affected the ability of pigeon fanciers to
participate in their sport. I have now written to the
Government pointing out what the EU is saying in the hope that they
recognise that international pigeon racing poses little or no
threat in regard to bird flu and that in the future no bans should
be imposed unless compelling evidence exists that there is a
serious risk” concluded Mr Simpson.
For more
information regarding pigeon racing contact:
Glyn Picton, 2
Baldwin Street, Newport, NP20 2LT
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Pigeon Fancy
