Defra - Rpra

Delboy · April 17, 2021

Friday 16th April at 1pm a meeting was held with representatives of the BICC, NFC and Ian Evans and Richard Chambers of the RPRA to further understand the issues impacting pigeon racing in 2021 and to agree how two of the countries premier organisations can support Ian and his colleagues at the RPRA.

It was very apparent that Ian and his RPRA colleagues have worked tirelessly on the issues to understand the situation and to build the relationships required to resolve them.

Ian now has a first rate relationship with Defra and has ensured that we have strong support from Defra representatives who comprehensively understand pigeon racing, this relationship has led to the bird flu restrictions being far less stringent on the fancy as a whole compared to other avian based hobbies and industry. We are more than hopeful to be racing from May 1st and the relationship is such that work will continue to mitigate future impact on our racing, showing and general gatherings.

With respect to channel racing the situation is to say the least complex with various EU regulations to overcome, Ian is 100% on top of these and has repeatedly approached the relevant parties to attempt to resolve the issues, what is clear now is we need the support of Defra to apply on our behalf to achieve resolution and gain access to cross channel racing. Ian has this support and Defra are in correspondence with the decision makers on our behalf. We also have the support of the All Party Parliamentary Group for pigeon racing, the FCI, prominent European avian vets, the french pigeon association and various other prominent parties.

There is little more we can do at present than to support Ian and the RPRA whilst we await for a response to Defra from the EU authorities. When that response comes, and it will, we can then review and understand the next steps required which maybe from Defra and or the RPRA. If there is action required from the fancy in general Ian will advise and as a club the BICC will ask its members to support appropriately as one. But be clear the dialogue between Ian, the RPRA and the representatives of the BICC and NFC will continue to support the resolution of the current restrictions.

So in summary:

We are more than hopeful that Defra will allow UK racing from 1st May.

Defra have written to the EU on our behalf and await response.

The RPRA will continue with their extensive work with Defra, the APPG, The EU, The FCI, the french authorities and other notable EU allies.

We believe the issue is resolvable but will take time and hence will require patience.

Finally when asked please support Ian Evans and the RPRA constructively.