This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Bird shows banned
27/10/2005
A ban has been imposed on bird shows, markets, fairs and other similar gatherings in Scotland. It will take effect this weekend.
The ban, required by the European Union as part of a suite of measures designed to safeguard against the spread of Avian Influenza, is now being transposed into Scots law.
Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie said:
"This action has been taken as a precautionary measure which reflects both the potential risk that birds gathering from a number of different locations can create and the steps we are prepared to take in our efforts to prevent the spread of this disease to Scotland.
"While the legislation has not yet come into force, it will shortly, and I advise organisers not to go ahead with any currently proposed events.
"We are currently preparing detailed plans to introduce strict veterinary risk assessments which may allow some gatherings to take place. We shall shortly make an announcement on how this approval system will work."