People who keep chickens in their garden now face prison and large fines if they fail to register them all under strict new rules brought in to tackle bird flu.
But within hours of the new Government database going live on October 1, protesters and pranksters managed to crash its website by listing as ‘pets’ everything from rubber chickens to chicken nuggets.
The controversial clampdown, which also applies to keepers of pigeons, ducks, geese and birds of prey, has been introduced as part of a UK-wide effort to prevent the spread of bird flu.I'm proud of you, Britain!
Last night the site was still suffering technical problems. One smallholder in Easington, County Durham, who asked not to be named, said: ‘This is just petty bureaucracy gone mad. ‘I keep a small flock of chickens on my allotment for their eggs. I moved them indoors, at great expense, during the recent bird flu outbreak, and there’s never been a problem with this.
‘I know other keepers who say they’d be prepared to move the few birds they own into their loft to avoid detection rather than register them.’
This is the situation we have in England now - chicken resistance!
Jane Howorth, founder of the British Hen Welfare Trust, based in Devon, agrees with the need to keep a register but added: ‘Unfortunately Defra held a consultation and then ignored the results, imposing what many see as unnecessary bureaucracy. I’m unsurprised at the reaction.’
I guess they didn't get the result they wanted, and thought 'well, people will just meekly comply anyway'. Found out it doesn't work like that. Now whose goose is cooked, DEFRA?
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