The Queensland Government is working towards repealing current restrictions on bringing pigeons, pigeon eggs and fittings used with pigeons into Queensland. This change is planned to come into effect in mid-December 2012.

This will allow keepers of pigeons in Queensland to resume breeding, showing and racing activities with pigeons from other states.

The pigeon clubs and organisations and individuals consulted by Biosecurity Queensland expressed a strong preference for removing entry restrictions.

The restrictions were introduced in 2011 following the detection and spread of avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV1) in pigeons in Victoria and New South Wales. To date, there is no known APMV1 in Queensland.

APMV1 has not been eradicated in Victoria and New South Wales and sporadic reports of cases continue. Spread of the virus nationally and to Queensland is considered inevitable given that the virus is present in domestic and wild pigeons in Victoria and New South Wales. Furthermore, Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia do not restrict the movement of pigeons which could be carrying the virus.

The risks of APMV1 can be effectively managed through vaccination and personal biosecurity. Most pigeon keepers in Queensland are already implementing their own biosecurity measures and vaccination.

As APMV1 is now established in Australia, the Queensland Government urges all pigeon keepers to take proactive measures to protect their birds. The lead-in date for removal of entry restrictions provides a window for keepers to vaccinate. Pigeons do not achieve immunity from infection until several weeks after vaccination, and achieve long-lived immunity several weeks after their second vaccination.

Biosecurity Queensland urges organisers of pigeon events to apply appropriate biosecurity measures to minimise the likelihood and impacts of APMV1 at pigeon gatherings.

It is suggested that a protocol is put in place requiring all entries be fully vaccinated (including sufficient time after vaccination to achieve immunity) and accompanied by an owner declaration that the flock of origin has been free of disease for the preceding two weeks. Individual keepers could adopt a similar biosecurity approach to protect their lofts.

Avian paramyxovirus will remain a notifiable disease in Queensland so that the spread of the disease into and within Queensland can be monitored and reported.

If you suspect pigeons are infected with APMV1 you should immediately seek veterinary advice and report the incident to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 (business hours) or the Emergency Animal Disease Watch hotline (after hours) on 1800 675 888.