Racing From France/Belgium
DEFRA has advised the situation concerning pigeon racing in the UK and beyond has been based on a risk assessment which has been kept under review. Ministers have now decided to allow gatherings for racing from Belgium and Northern France subject to the following conditions:
- Pigeons cannot be liberated any further than 400 miles into France. This means that liberations can take place from as far south as the sites at Bordeaux, Bergerac, Mont Lucon and Nevers. This limit will take into account the areas of recent infection in South Eastern France.
- Such races will be subject to the same notification and biosecurity conditions in the General Licence for races within the British Isles.
- There is a new requirement of isolation for 7 days for all birds racing from outside the British Isles (rising to 21 days for birds returning after more than 72 hours).
- Races from outside the British Isles can only take place until Monday 31 July when DEFRA will review the position again in view of the approaching autumn migration period. They will also immediately review the position, and potentially re-impose the ban on racing from outside the British Isles, if the disease situation changes in the meantime.
The full licence conditions will be published as soon as they are received.
We anticipate that the earliest we will be able to race again from France is the weekend of 24th June. It is imperative that all RPRA organisations and non affiliated organisations that use our services liaise with the Racing Support Department to advise permit and ferry requirements for 24th June onwards either by e mail to lindasmith@rpra.org, donna@rpra.org or telephone 01452 858244 (Linda) or 858245 (Donna). Although we have permits as per your original race programmes clearly some of you will require shorter distances and so new permits will need to be applied for.
Peter Bryant
General Manager
The Royal Pigeon Racing Association
The Reddings
Nr Cheltenham, Glos GL51 6RN
Tel 01452 713529 fax 857119
