In response to enquiries received from shoots regarding next year’s game shooting season, BASC is issuing advice to its members to buy British produced pheasants and partridges and to establish whether their supply depends on overseas imports of eggs, chicks or poults. Favouring domestic sources will reduce the chance of disruption in the event of an outbreak of Avian Influenza within the European Union.

Any outbreak within EU borders would trigger the restrictions on movement and trade outlined in the Avian Influenza Directive (15146/05). These restrictions could severely disrupt the supply of eggs, chicks and poults particularly over long distances. Measures can include complete prohibition of trade in gamebirds, eggs and chicks from an affected country, and restrictions could remain in place for an indefinite period until the virus is eradicated.

Stewart Scull, head of Gamekeeping and Wildlife management at BASC said: “Avian Flu has been found in Turkey, Croatia and Romania, all of which border the EU. If it enters in the next few months and restrictions are put in place, shoots buying poults from affected countries could be facing the loss of an entire season. It makes sense to place orders with British game farms, which are relying on domestic eggs and chicks to produce their birds. Equally we advise shoots to buy locally wherever possible. An outbreak within the UK would lead to transport restrictions being imposed around the infected area.

“As a risk assessment exercise, it would be sensible for shoots to check whether the British game farm where they place their order is dependent on the importation of eggs and chicks. If Avian Influenza continues to spread, game farms which rely on imports could be amongst the first to encounter difficulty securing supplies.

“While BASC does not wish to be alarmist about the possibility of a case of Avian ‘flu within the EU, it makes sense for shoots and game farms to think carefully about the future. Our advice is to plan to buy British, buy locally, and make sure your poults for the 2006/7 season come from British game farms and British produced eggs.” ENDS

For more information call the BASC press office on 01244 573031.
Click here for a comprehensive guide to Avian Flu.
EU directive 15146/05 can be viewed by clicking here.

 Back