jbee

I would push Huntington and Maidstone back 1 week and keep all other national dates the same from wherever they are. Somewhere between Battle and Weymouth (many 1st option race points are fully booked) with the option of Guernsey if available or better still Belgium or France. John b

Well done SHU working quietly in the background to get us racing as off today. One week in front of the RPRA members.

Bobby, I’m sure you only need the FCI symbol for the international racing.

Derek, some officials down south are talking about no channel racing even next year. Some of the Yorkshire federations are discussing sending their youngsters north due to the possible outcomes of future years. We need to run the coast from Battle to Weymouth hoping to have access to Guernsay either this year on in the future. Better than nothing!

EU ANIMAL HEALTH REGULATIONS – CHANNEL RACING 09/04/2021 The following is an update in relation to the correspondence between the RPRA and the Directorate General Sante of the EU. The correspondence below will demonstrate that we are no closer to achieving a position that will facilitate channel racing but that we are doing everything we can to achieve this position. We will continue to keep you updated. CEO’s reply to DG Sante dated 8th April 2021 Dear Mr Van Goethem, Thank you for the latest reply. Your time and assistance in this matter is very much appreciated. Please would you provide a little more of your time to answer the following questions. I accept that the provisions of article 2016/429 require the movement into the union to be as stringent as the movement between member states. However, the current position is that the requirements of regulation 2020/692 and therefore movement into the union, are far more stringent for Racing Pigeons transported for the purpose of racing. The articles within the regulation make it impossible to move racing pigeons into France and other EU member states. What we are trying to achieve is parity in relation to the requirements associated with the movement of racing pigeons into the union and the movement between member states. i.e. parity between regulations 2020/688 and 2020/692. We are attempting to achieve this aim for the same reasons that the representatives from members states lobbied for amendments to regulation 2020/688 in relation to racing pigeons. Please note we are not asking for any amendments relating to the permanent import of racing pigeons from the UK but for the purpose of racing and therefore the temporary ‘import’ of pigeons that are released to fly back to the UK – a non-commercial process that has happened for one hundred years without any negative impact on health. These amendments include: 1. Removing the requirement of the 21 day isolation period for pigeons being transported for the purpose of racing 2. Removing the requirement for a Health certificate, endorsed/signed by a veterinarian appointed by the competent authority and replacing this with an owners declaration. Will regulation 2020/692 also be amended to reflect the requirement for racing pigeons contained within regulation 2020/688 and therefore be as stringent as those contained within regulation 688 ? If not could you explain why? What is the rational behind the difference in approach? I am aware that the current discussions in relation to derogation’s relate to article 61 and not article 62. However, Article 62 states that derogation’s can be achieved in relation to articles 3 to 10, 11 to 19 and 53 to 61; if the third country is specifically listed for the entry into the Union based a equivalent guarantees. This suggest that derogation relating to the health certification and housing requirements prior to movement can be achieved. How are such derogation’s achieved ? Is this an application to the commission from the UK Government? Are these derogation’s something that member states can apply ? Finally, thank you for confirming how the transition period will work. Given that regulation 2013/139 made racing pigeons exempt from such certification processes when transported for the purpose of racing; I am not aware of any existing certificates for this purpose. Therefore, how can we be expected to comply with the new requirements by using non-existent certificates ? I am assured that the UK competent authority has made an initial written request to the commission in respect of the new AHL but to date they have not received a reply. In the meantime I would be grateful if you could find the time to reply to my questions Thank you Ian DG Sante reply to CEOs email previously published Dear Mr Evans, As regards your question on the approach of current and future rules, please note that according to the provisions of Regulation (EC) 2016/429 (Animal Health Law – AHL) the rules for entry into the Union should be as stringent as those for the movement between Member States. Therefore, since there are rules for the movement of racing pigeons between Member States, racing pigeons are also included in the scope of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 for the entry into the Union. As regards the amendment of Regulation (EU) 2020/692, please note that the discussions in relation to racing pigeons relate to the provisions of Article 61, not Article 62. In that respect, we are considering the possibility for a derogation, under certain conditions, from the obligation that racing pigeons are kept in an approved quarantine establishment for 30 days. It will be, therefore, up to the competent authority of Member States to assess on a case by case if the specific conditions for allowing for such a derogation apply. Finally, as regards your question on a transitional period, please note that AHL and Regulation (EU) 2020/692 will apply as of 21 April 2021. Therefore, as of that date racing pigeons should comply with the rules laid down therein. The transitional period until October 2021 refers to the certificates that should accompany the animals for their entry into the Union. In particular, the draft implementing regulation laying down the certificates for terrestrial animals provides that during that period animal should be accompanied by the certificates applicable before 21 April 2021. I understand that this issue is complex. I would, therefore, urge you to contact the competent authorities of the United Kingdom for any further information needed. B. Van Goethem

As much as the BICC committee wanted to be positive and upbeat in confirming our wish to race from France with the existing and published program, it is obvious with hindsight that we were perhaps a little premature, as the RPRA are having increasing and ongoing difficulties in establishing that any pigeon transporters will be allowed to enter France. It is still our basic wish to race from France and join the Internationals, but seemingly this aspiration is being thwarted and may still take a considerable time to resolve. Consequently the BICC have compiled an alternative program commencing 15th, May and racing from the North. Thus please see below the North Road Program but would again stress that if the Channel opens up, or there is any way of competing in the Internationals, this alternative program would be immediately aborted. 15th, May Ingleton (4163) North Yorkshire 29th, May Berwick Upon Tweed (4008) Northumberland 12th, June Fraserburgh (4036) Grampian Joint liberation with NRCC (Already agreed in principle with the NRCC who are more than pleased to race alongside the BICC) 26th, June Thurso (4115) Highlands 10th, July Berwick (4008) 23rd, July – Friday – Lerwick (4057) Shetland. 24th, July Otterburn (4167) Northumberland. Please be aware that the routes and collection times will potentially alter, and probably three lorries will be involved as the majority of marking stations will now be collected, and possibly (TBC) the more northerly ones may be collected on a Friday morning en route north. It is essential that nearer the race dates members check with their marking stations as to whether any marking times have been revised This statement has been agreed by every member of the BICC committee 3rd, April 2021

Lot 18 £50

Lot 7 £40

Alf, has Vince any suggestions for a race point. Both organisations could benefit from this with no expenditure for either. Good on Vince. Hopefully it might take off. John b

Discussing the use of elderberries last night and was told the seeds were poisonous.i was told to google the elderberry and this is what came up. I used to use them for years.The seeds, stems, leaves and roots of the Black Elder are all poisonous to humans. They contain a cyanide-inducing glycoside. Eating a sufficient quantity of these cyanide-inducing glycosides can cause a toxic buildup of cyanide in the body and make you quite ill.

Just back from Fort Augustus, never seen a perigrine nor a sparrow hawk when out walking. Did see a batch of birds flying at Dalwinnie, not sure who that person would fly with. All the best with the future race points. Brave birds flying through these valleys. John b

Had that since I was 60, but should off been getting my pension,need to wait another year for that

Nettle tea bags just as good

Andy, the NEHU at South Shields was cancelled a few weeks back.

18NE6345 Blue Bar found wandering about garden at midday. Will see if I can get it further up the road.

At 12.00 blowing a west north west wind at Leeds!

Andy, have you seen or read any statement from Ian Evans, RPRA CEO that has come directly from the Scottish Government That can be verified or validated. Is the name of the person/minister that he has spoken with concerning the racing of pigeons in Scotland actual known, or has this all yet again been word of mouth.

I might be doing the same and seeing Andy, never had he horseman or any of these fancy pigeons. Problem is if I get rid off the racers and get some fancy birds, still a tie when I go on holiday, if we ever get back on holiday. Take care John b

Bobby, surely everyone that has an email address logged with the SHU should have had at these emails. If it was not for basics none of us would have any idea what the f... Is going on in Scotland . Away to Lidls to buy black bags !

George,its been well thought out. It looks as though the owner is basketing his/her own birds ? and using the box similar to what they use in Malta. We would require 4 members present at marking.Had thought of cheque and money transfers. I’m also sure France is 2weeks in front of us. Looking like early/middle of June for us. Let’s hope so

There are rumours circulating that training has been approved with effect from 7th May and that racing will commence 23rd May. A document was circulated to racing organisations (Federation etc) yesterday. This document requested that they consider contingency race programmes effective from the 23rd May. This document was based on many assumptions and is no way confirmation that training will be allowed on 7th May and that racing will start on 23rd May. The reason this information has been requested now is that this will allow us to carry out all the administrative and logistical tasks associated with booking race sites and complying with the law if racing can commence on 23rd May. Although we are hopeful that this will be the case it will very much depend on the Governments plan of how and what restrictions will be lifted. Please be assured that a team consisting of myself, the President and Vice Presidents are working hard behind the scenes to ensure racing starts as soon as possible but in a way that is safe and reasonable to do so. Ian Evans RPRA CEO

Bought some hand gel from hyper drug and also their hand sanitiser. Meditech has also made their own gel. Both companies formula is recommended by the WHO.

What about using 100% cotton gloves, can be washed if required after every basketing night. As Stuart said, feathers will be pulled using latex gloves. Some guys can’t handle birds correctly without even using gloves.

Bobby,still on the scaffolding yet some nights loading the same transporter

Stuart, that's the time I've been saying for a couple of years for us to race youngsters. Comeback races for national training/ racing old birds with the youngsters in separate baskets. I remember many years ago watching youngsters and old birds racing together in the Border Federation in the month of July while at my uncles in Selkirk. Pentland hills had a proposal similar to Derek's racing later in the year, I'm sure it was also September and October racing, but this was defeated on the vote at their AGM. Will be interesting to see who makes the first move to save the weekly carnage of youngsters. John b