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Questions And Answers With Michael Rabe Small Game Biologist, Arizona Game And Fish Department About Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) and The Recent Restriction On Bird Related Events By Andy Kohly Gundog Section Leader and Editor Editors Note: Some have suggested that this restriction is the work of Game and Fish targeting field trial events. This statement couldn’t be farther from the truth. The fact of the matter is that the restriction has been ordered by the Department of Agriculture and is no more targeted against field trial events than AZOD. In this writer’s opinion, while the restriction may pose an inconvenience and cause the possible postponement or cancellation of a few field trials, (I’m hoping to run my dog Max in a field trial in April) I would much rather miss a few trials rather than let Exotic Newcastle’s Disease take a hold here in Arizona and infect our native bird populations… -A- Does the order apply to killed and cleaned carcasses? Within the quarantine area it does per section D of the Dept. of Agriculture Order (see attached). Outside the quarantine area, there is no restriction on movement of birds except for bird events such as a field trial.
What about falconers? With the exception of the quarantine area which is Yuma, La Paz and Mojave counties south and east of the Colorado River, the only restriction on falconers would be a meet or field trial where a group of falconers would get together and fly birds. Under section H of the Dept of Agriculture Order, this would be a bird event. Within the quarantine area, section D of the Agriculture Order would apply and moving a bird of prey (or for that matter any bird) would require prior authorization from AZ Dept of Ag or from USDA.
What about Wildlife Rehabilitators who want to take in or release birds? Again, a difference exists within vs. without the quarantine area. Movement of birds outside the quarantine area is not restricted by the order. We should advise these license holders that there is increased risk due to END being in the state and urge that they are cautious about taking in any bird species. Good precautions would be to quarantine all birds taken in until the Administrative Order is lifted. Within the quarantine area, these license holders can take in a bird but they cannot be moved off the area until after the quarantine has been lifted. This is based on discussions between the Adobe Mountain Coordinator and the Dept of Agriculture’s State Vet.
What about game farms that sell birds, are they restricted? Selling of birds from areas outside the quarantine area is not restricted, taking them to a bird event is. Arizona Game and Fish is not placing the restrictions on existing licenses. We are simply advising groups that hold licenses of the Ag Director's order which precludes bird events. As an example, if I wanted to purchase bobwhites from a game farm for a weekend BBQ at my house, I can do so as long as the place of origin is not in the quarantine area.
Who will enforce violations of either the Arizona Game and Fish or the Department of Agriculture Orders? Enforcement for noncompliance will be referred to the Arizona Department of Agriculture.
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