pjc

when did any government department ever react in a reasonable time? (unless to put tax up!) Wheels turn very slowly and when preasure is put upon them they sieze! Phil

For those septics that beleive channel racing will be stopped again read the following released today:-- AI UPDATE The following is an extract from the Federation Colombophile Francaise (FCF) our French counterparts. “I have pleasure in sending you a copy of notification from our Ministry of Agriculture which modifies the directives of 20 July 2007 and 24 January 2008. This is signed by the ministers for Agriculture and Ecology. In future pigeons from EU countries will be allowed to compete from France in the event of an outbreak of AI in their home country provided that any such outbreak is confined to a single ecological unit. This brings them into line with the situation in France and is of course dependent on any directives in operation in their home country. We believe that this decision by AFSAA (the agency that looks into diseases) is very positive for the pigeon sport and we hope will go some way towards keeping the sport alive. Their advice is that the epidemiological role played by pigeons in the spread of AI is minimal and that pigeons racing under the above conditions pose a level of risk that is nil or negligible. This is an extraordinary advance which has been made possible by the FCI lobbying of the EU. We suggest that this should be published in your weekly journal.” The following is an extract from a letter from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. “We have been asked to review the position of racing pigeons with regards to AI following a request from Afssa. On 30th April Afssa came to the conclusion that a relaxation of the directives covering racing pigeons was preferable given the low risks they posed. This information can be seen on their website www.afssa.fr The Committee discussed this advice in May and can now issue a new directive as from June 2008. Low level risk assessment category had now been changed to: No participation by international pigeons from countries affected by more than one outbreak of AI. No participation by international pigeons in races which depart from or fly over countries where there is more than one outbreak of AI. Participation by international pigeons from countries affected by a single outbreak of AI are authorised with the exception of pigeons from the infected zone. Participation by international pigeons in races that depart from or fly over countries where there is a single outbreak of AI will be permitted with the exception of pigeons from the infected zone.” The General Manager writes: this is positive news from the French Government in that they will not necessarily exclude all pigeons from a country with AI. There will be conditions applied. DEFRA has been forwarded this information and, as matter of course in reviewing the Veterinary Risk Assessment, they asked the British Embassy in Paris to clarify the situation with the French Ministry. They became aware that an announcement was to be made by the French Ministry. We continue to push DEFRA for the revised Veterinary Risk Assessment which is taking longer than we expected. Peter Bryant General Manager Phil

There has been a restriction zone set up that can be viewed on the DEFRA web site but it will not effect racing this weekend unless you are liberating within 10k of Banbury! Phil

Whats the point of shifting them on? Whats you pal going to do with them and there is no guarantee the next batch won't at some point start doing the same! Phil

Can't see DEFRA lifting it full stop! Has vaccination stopped? No, but we still have the same number of outbreaks each year but they won't lift it as I don't beleive they will lift the restrictions! You will have to split your teams so you can race them alternate channel races. PHil

You could just let them out in the evening an hour before feed time and see if they still go off. If they don't then stick to this for a couple of weeks as well as keeping up the training and it should help break the habbit if they are fielding. How far are you training from? Phil

whats the point of stamping with an old stamp appart from make the bird look compliant!

Jimmy, how are you feeding them now and with what? If they are flying well and randeing its a good adea to think about training them and getting them coming straight home for a feed. Phil

Still a great forum whatever the total is!

And don't forget the ones that only use it when they have something to sell!

But if David wanted to buy rings next year from the RPRA he would have to be a member

David, you will need to join the RPRA to enable you to register the rings in your name. Phil

And still having to work on getting the flight up!

what size loft can you fit in your garden?

then 8, then 16, then 32!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He's looking well David!

yes

Amman Valley winner doing 1204 but know they are faster than that.

Welsh combine racing from Lillers today have had good returns!

its all about knowing what you are looking for and being given some good contacts.

Going over to buy some more Ant?

Often the short channel races don't give the birds a run at the water so when they see the water they follow the coast instead of crossing. Last year a lot of people didn't get to race over the water so there will be a lot of birds going that have never seen the channel. Phil

young birds make mistakes and deserve a chance. I had one 3yrs ago, lost it training and was reported a few weeks later, when i fetched it it had apparently been floating around the area but was in cracking condition. Again it was well bred so I decided to keep it in and try it at stock, he bred a winner in his first nest and has gone on to breed others for us and others. If he doesn't breed you anything then he is still young enough to put on the road and race him. PHil

Newboy, the best thing for you to do is contact the RPRA and find your local club. When you have made contact then see if they can put you in touch with a local fancier to you who will give you help and advice. I would try and spend some time with an experienced fancier and learn a little before even thinking of getting birds etc. You will of course find lots of useful tips on this forum by just reading some of the threads. Phil

If you don't like the WHPU Chris then join the RPRA!