RPRA - AI UPDATE

Bilco · July 24, 2007

LATEST FROM RPRA HQ:

AI UPDATE

Many of you know that the French Association last week announce to the French Government that they intended to ignore the racing ban. This caused a review by the French Ministry and I am told but have not yet seen it confirmed that the French Government have agreed for pigeon racing to recommence with the exception of German federations, AI still being rife there.

This news was conveyed to DEFRA with a request to review their racing ban from the continent as a matter of priority in order that we could make arrangements for young bird racing. The response? Quote “We are under no obligation to take the same decisions as the French Government! Our vets are keeping the situation under constant review.” Unquote! Totally, totally frustrating. I have now referred this response to the Chief Vet.

Last week at a meeting of the President and Vice Presidents it was agreed that we should canvass Council members to agree to exploratory legal advice to see if we would have a case to challenge these somewhat bizarre DEFRA decisions. Council has agreed to that and I have put the wheels in motion. It will entail getting opinion of Counsel (a barrister) who specialises in litigation. I will of course keep you advised on progress on this.

Roland · July 24, 2007

The response from defra comes as no surprise

So true, because as a nation we have always held that the Heir Archly - whatever one - knows best and it is meant to be. Further any and everyone that has stood put o them -especially Governments if any one seems to take notice of them - are quickly purged by the media as Looney / troublemakers etc. etc. and harassed but the authorities. Now if a concern, such as the RPRA should take up this case and via QC's of course, then they will definitely need a good PR firm with their built in 'Think Tanks' to answer the public’s queries and act as spokesmen. Further they have access to the all important 'Corridor' politics and just who is who and what they can do to help.

Now that would be less tan a little quiddy per member, and for a fiver levy they could well afford these acquirements and benefit the WHOLE of the sport in countless ways.

Main thing is for members to stop moaning about the slight cost for a change and accept that that must be a better proposition than no Channel racing. I know in this area that the vast majority go the harder route of the North Rd, but they would soon be behind the wagon pushing when they realised that the PR would be getting good media coverage that could / should benefit the WHOLE of the sport. And why we are at it, they could levy and sort us out as being a 'Sport' rather than Poultry or Cage Birds. Like them I'm not longer sure just what we are labelled as of now.... but tis time for us to be slotted into an appropriate placing!