| Author: Peter Bryant | Title: View From the Reddings |
| Date: 2006-03-06 17:53:24 | Uploaded by: webmaster |
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Lib Site News
With France out of the picture for the foreseeable future I have today also received a letter from the Spanish Federation to say that pigeon racing there has been stopped. As and when things settle down in Western Europe we will clarify the situation regarding Belgium and see whether there is a realistic opportunity to race from there. Bear in mind that DEFRA has so far only licenced us to race from the UK. We have discussions with the authorities in the Channel Islands and to date these have been positive. Clarification and a threat assessment will be needed prior to any green light from the Islands.
Pigeon races
Racing is only a few weeks away and I want to remind organisations of what they must do with regards to licensing arrangements by DEFRA.
- The RPRA must have race programmes of its affiliated organisations. Based on this we will advise the local Area Health Offices of where the liberations are taking place.
- Organisations must have a nominated vet on standby.
- Individual pigeons should be inspected for signs of disease before being mixed with pigeons from other lofts in crates or transport containers.
- All crates, baskets and pigeon containers used for transport, and holding birds prior to liberation must be cleansed and disinfected prior to and after the race.
- For a race within the British Isles, birds returning to their loft more than 48 hours after the start of the race should be isolated for a minimum of 3 weeks. The period could be extended beyond 48 hours in exceptional circumstances such as where bad weather causes a delay to the return of a large number of birds. If in isolation, birds should be inspected regularly and any signs of ill health notified to a veterinary surgeon.
- A nominated person must be designated as the event organiser i.e. overall race organiser. This person must keep a record of details of the clubs participating in the race, for at least three months.
- A record of all entrants must be kept for three months, which includes the following information for each:
- full name;
- home address;
- telephone number;
- number of birds;
- name of club to which the participant belongs;
- ring numbers of individual birds
- Biosecurity advice must be distributed to entrants.
Problems with Neighbours?
I am aware that some people have had concerns raised about AI from their neighbours. The answer to any concerned neighbour is that scientific evidence available, and as forwarded by the RPRA to DEFRA, has indicated that pigeons have a high resistance to AI. There is little chance of pigeons being infected by AI and little chance of them passing it on. It is true to say that any bird species could transmit AI through their plumage or feet and pigeons are no different but the real threat is from waterfowl such as ducks, geese, swans etc who are highly susceptible to AI as are poultry. The RPRA and other racing pigeon Unions have been in liaison with DEFRA for several months and based on the scientific evidence and the low threat posed by racing pigeons, DEFRA has licenced fanciers to conduct shows, sales and racing.
Peter Bryant
General Manager
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