Rare & Heritage Poultry held in Quarantine to be destroyed

Our Syndicate’s rock solid belief in responsible Bio-Security in Australia, has led the syndicate to a strong and ethical decision, after receiving notification late on Friday night that we had been given access to test our flock.  After testing over the weekend that returned 3 positive reactors, the only responsible decision that could be made was to turn the flock over to the Commonwealth for destruction.

The founding principles of our syndicate have always been bio-security and integrity.  Our intention since formation has been to provide a legitimate avenue to bring rare and heritage breeds of poultry into Australia, after restrictions on imports for over 50 years.

The Syndicate continues to focus on their objective for future importations of rare and heritage poultry breeds into Australia, and to therefore contribute to the expansion of the gene pool of these breeds. From the experience our group has gained in this particular project, the first of its kind, we have found several ways the group can improve to ensure success in the future. 

We are clearly disappointed that this first importation has been unable to consummate this remarkable effort, especially after the investment (physical and financial) provided by some of our key syndicate members, however,  we are proud of our integrity and determination not to waiver from our first principles that centre around protecting Australia’s Bio-Security.

This particular exercise has had another significant effect and that has been to galvanise the non commercial poultry sector in Australia.  This has resulted in a heightened level of awareness and interest in rare and heritage poultry that Australia has never seen before in such a short period. The ARPIS group would like to sincerely thank the efforts and support of the Backyard Poultry website who has had over 16000 hits since last Sunday’s first news report of the situation, over 1500 likes of the Save The Rare Chickens At Torrens Island Facebook page, and all the other volunteers and syndicate members who have given up their time to support the project.  With a now functioning website, the syndicate are set up to further promote Rare and Heritage breed poultry in Australia.

Most importantly thankyou to the Australian public for your remarkable public support.

The support for Australia’s Poultry diversity is now unprecedented, with a wave of public support for rare and heritage breeds in both boutique meat and egg production,  as well as increased interest from the greater poultry world including breeders, poultry fanciers and exhibiters and backyard poultry keepers.  

With more interest by consumers in animal welfare, food provenance and a change in food culture, as well as an increase sustainable living practises, the syndicate are already receiving interest from the Australian poultry community to implement a second importation project.

It was our desire to test 3 weeks ago.   Had this been permitted, we would not be in the situation we have found ourselves in now, and we would certainly not be in court. 

Bio-Security has been our founding principle from the beginning of the project, and the ARPIS group will continue to be driven by integrity to ensure a reduction in bird smuggling and ultimately, Australian avian bio-security. 

The ARPIS Group are committed to upholding the highest of bio-security standards and are dedicated to ensuring the longevity of Rare and Heritage poultry breeds in Australia.  The commitment of the syndicate continues to act to ensure the birds’ welfare and quality of life will not be sacrificed.