Channel Racing Update

[sapper756]

Alex White has given me permission to share this.

[Delboy]

Yesterday evening I received confirmation that the amendments to the EU Animal Health Regulation outlined in my update of 10th September 2021 have been fully adopted by the EU and are therefore now part of the European Journal. This means pigeons entering the EU from a Third country (UK) for the purpose of racing are exempt from the onerous animal health requirements that stopped continental racing in 2021. These exemptions are detailed in regulation 2021/1705. The RPRA and Defra will continue to work with the commission and relevant authorities to establish how we adhere to the remaining requirements detailed in my update of 10th September. As soon as we have clarity in this respect a communication will be published. We aim to achieve this position by the end of this year. Ian Evans CEO

[Delboy]

RPRA announcement - what it actually means

A welcome communication from the RPRA today but as usual with these releases it has probably confused more people than helped them........a no news message if you like!

The announcement DOES NOT confirm that any racing will be available from France yet, it is merely confirming that the proposals that were mentioned in September comms have been accepted in the EU and that is pretty much it (No lab testing on pigeons, no Quarantine and no Health Certificate) nothing more.

There are still 4 quite significant things which need to be overcome and the most difficult one is going to be number 1:

1. The country of destination allows the entry of racing pigeons in accordance with article 230 of regulation 2016/429.

2. The loft/establishment/premises has to be registered with the UK competent authority.

3. The Pigeons will be required to be vaccinated against Paramyxo/Newcastle Disease.

4. The liberation of the pigeons has to be controlled by the competent authority in the country of destination.

Let us remember that all of this year we 'should' have been permitted to race from France all along however the French Border force prevented it and every country is entitled to do so no matter what the EU rule book says.

I am looking forward to the RPRA and DEFRA making some inroads with the French Border Force as that is what really needs sorting out - they got plenty of time.

Hope that translates some of it for some of you

[REDCHEQHEN]

I have been told all vaccinated birds have to be on an a spreadsheet held by the racing pigeon organisation 

How it is to be presented is not known