jbee

23 April 2022 To: Craig Williams MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Pigeon Racing As you are aware, cross channel pigeon racing has been taking place for over 120 years. In 2021, with the implementation of new EU Animal Health Regulations, this historic sport was under threat. Over the past 14 months the Royal Pigeon Racing Association, with assistance from yourself, Defra, European friends and organisations, have been lobbying the EU to achieve amendments to the regulations that made it impossible to move racing pigeons from Third Countries into the EU. Following the latest amendments to EU Regulations, I believe we are now in a position to be able to achieve cross channel racing in 2022, albeit while adhering to many requirements that pre-Brexit were not required. These requirements include that each pigeon loft (premises) has to be registered with the competent authority of the country of origin. As you are aware, the competent authority in the UK is Defra. In recent weeks I have attended a number of meetings with Defra officials in order to establish a process of registration. The latest meeting was on 7th April when we were told that the registration process would be published within the next two weeks. This period has passed and we still have no definitive date as to when this process will be published. This and any further delay will have a detrimental impact on the possibility of achieving channel racing this year. Considering the fact that no cross channel racing took place in 2021, I am sure you can appreciate that our members are getting more and more frustrated with this position and there is a real threat to the future of this historic sport. Therefore, in your capacity as Chair of the APPG for Pigeon Racing, could you could support a request to Defra or the appropriate minister for the registration process to be published as soon as possible, and for suitable resources to be allocated to the registration process to ensure lofts are registered as quickly as possible. Whatever peoples’ political position on Brexit, it would be a shame if Brexit did mean we lose two racing seasons and therefore jeopardise the future of this historic sport that enriches many lives by providing opportunities of recreation, competition and social inclusion,Ian Evans CEO

In my previous update of 7th April I stated that the DEFRA loft registration process would be published within two week. This week I have been 'chasing' confirmation in relation to the process. However, as of 4.30pm today, Friday 22nd April 2022 I have received no information in this respect. I appreciate this is a frustrating position for everyone concerned and is impacting on the start of organisations channel race programmes. I will continue to push for this process to be published as soon as possible and as soon as I have any information I will share it through the normal channels. In the meantime I have held meetings with various veterinary practices to establish a list of of such practices that are willing and able to carry out loft visits to adhere to the EU loft registration requirements and also compile a list of Official Veterinarians that are able to sign export health certificates for organisations. This list will be published sometime next week and will be updated as and when necessary. Finally, I wish to clarify that the loft registration process is one imposed by EU regulations (not DEFRA) for those lofts wishing to race from EU countries. The reason that they have to be registered with DEFRA is purely down to the EU regulations requiring lofts to be registered with the competent authority within the country of origin. In the UK the competent authority is DEFRA Ian Evans CEO

The Eyevalley guys racing with UNC from about 150 miles. Next week they are at Newark

Looks like both , visit with bird to register and then at sometime they visit the loft.

Just looked again, it seems to only have the com1 for the champ download. When I downloaded for the profi,there was 2 options. Remember if you successfully do the download. Do not synchronise the clock. Go to member, right click,this brings up a box on lower right hand side. Select members clock. The members clock comes up on screen,right click this will then ask do you wish delete clock. Yes to this. Place clock back in base station. On the computer screen there is a + on the bottom RHS,click on this,box appears saying discovery, yes to this. This will delete clock and transfer all correct info from computer to champ clock. Doing this, all years on ring number will be correct. If you don’t do this , the years will be 15 years out! hope you have success john b

Log into Unikon.co.uk. Select downloads and select whatever club base station you use. john b

Have you updated the base station with update 3.2

As Dougie said,except remember NOT to synchronise the clock, this would then scrabble all rings on the computer also. Some guys have been doing this and having to talk them through bringing back ,backup files.

Please note that, as at today, there is still no agreement on the registration process that lofts need to comply with in regard to Channel racing.We hope that a Defra meeting will be held within the next two weeks, and as soon as we have more information this will be sent out to members, organisations and the fancy press.Les BlacklockRPRA President

No 51 £40 jbee

Can you put me down for 4 and 36 please john b

Thanks for that

Unsure if SHU 2022 rings would be accepted as they don’t have the FCI logo on their ring which is required for International racing.

John b no 13 please

Possibility of A lot of photocopying of race entry sheets before transporter leaves marking station for channel racing. At least we are getting closer to racing the channel

race programme as committee recommendations

Just had a reply by txt, they are having problems with their internet.

Tried emailing,no reply

Andy, started with 48 and now have 14!. Will definitely not be breeding youngsters to race next year John b

Mick Brennan brought approx 40 Scottish birds up yesterday from the Darlington area.

Liberated 14.30 from Langholm

Pulled out of Thornton at 11am for a race from Langholm

Yes it is instead of st boswells

377 have been basketed for the race.

I’m sure north west will be there