ETS RULES - 25 April 2008
The ETS rules published in the BHW this week contain an error. Rule 238 should read as follows:
238. All ETS race entry sheets and race arrival reports must be printed directly from the ETS printer and not via a PC printer. These must contain the competitor’s name, RPRA loft number, race and date. One copy must be retained by the organization and one copy given to the competitor. Both copies must be signed by an official of the organization and the competitor. No member is permitted to take part in the race marking/entry process of his own pigeons.
AI RESTRICTIONS AND DEFRA POSTED 23 APRIL 2008
Officials for the RPRA, NWHU, WHPU and the NEHU met with the secretary of State for the Environment, Hilary Benn MP today, to discuss pigeon racing, licence conditions and our concerns.
Tom Dawson, president of the Confederation of Long Distance Racing Pigeon Unions outlined the case and I spoke about specific concerns namely the 7 day isolation period, the plight of the Channel Islanders and the disproportionate restrictions that DEFRA put on us such as banning all shows when an AI outbreak is literally hundreds of miles away.
Mr Benn, with his team in attendance, listened to our concerns, asked questions and agreed to go away and reconsider the licence conditions.
We have still not received a response to our latest legal letter. Mr Benn did report that DEFRA will undertake another Veterinary Risk Assessment in the coming months and this may revise the way DEFRA look at AI outbreaks.
We left the meeting optimistic as Mr Benn and his team certainly listened intently to what we had to say and that they will review the licence conditions. Watch this space!
In the meantime the licence conditions imposed for racing last year remain and these can be found at http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/keptbirds/genlicence.htm
A full report will be placed in the fancy press next week.
Peter Bryant
General Manager
See the DEFRA website http://www.defra.gov.uk/ for more information.