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?
It must have been the same over a century ago.
ReplyDeleteAmbrose Bierce in his famous dictionary noted it:-
Consult, v. To seek another’s approval of a course already decided on.
We registered our chickens online, it wasn't really much trouble. I do agree that it is just pointless bureaucracy though. Presumably being registered with DEFRA stops your hens getting sick.
ReplyDeleteStonyground.
Chicken registration is so that, when there are food shortages, they know where to come. Next up, registration for vegetables grown in your garden.
ReplyDeleteFirst it us registration.
ReplyDeleteThen comes some bureaucracy and a department increase to match so fees and you will be required to get your chickens certified with bird flu injections etc.
Then the screw tightens and more bureaucracy comes in. More fees and more rules. Bigger department increases.
The the screw tightens more and more, more costs Tighter standards, unless you are in a protected group of course where you can treat them how you like.
Next up is confiscation when a chickens gets bird flu in the Orkneys.
"Ambrose Bierce in his famous dictionary noted it:-
ReplyDeleteConsult, v. To seek another’s approval of a course already decided on."
So many consultations are just window-dressing.
"Presumably being registered with DEFRA stops your hens getting sick."
Stops them recovering, more likely. When DEFRA know where to cull.
"Next up, registration for vegetables grown in your garden."
Oooh, don't give them ideas!
"Next up is confiscation when a chickens gets bird flu in the Orkneys."
Yup, that drama over the TB Llama will be nothing in comparison!