Confederation Moves Forward with Unity and Governance Focus

The Confederation of Long Distance Racing Pigeon Unions of Great Britain, Ireland and the Channel Islands held two key meetings in late March and April, bringing together delegates from the Irish, English, Scottish, and Welsh Unions and for the first time in many years, the April meeting saw full membership of all six unions.

NWHU Application Signals Shift Towards Unity

A major item of business in March was the application from the North West Homing Union to join the Confederation. Delegates considered the request against the backdrop of a declining sport, estimated to be shrinking by around 7% annually. Discussions focused on the benefits of a more unified approach, including stronger representation with organisations such as DEFRA and improved consistency across unions.

Concerns were raised regarding the repatriation of stray pigeons and it was demonstrated that a robust stray reporting system is in place. The application was unanimously approved, marking a significant step towards unity. This decision was formally confirmed at the April 23rd meeting, where NWHU representative Mr Terry Phifer was welcomed.

Governance and Rules Take Centre Stage

Improving governance alliance was a central theme across both meetings, and in March delegates emphasised that Confederation rules must reflect the agreement of all member unions. It was also agreed that any future inter-union disputes would be resolved by majority vote at a Confederation mediation meeting.

For the April meeting, both new and existing rules were formally presented and approved. Notably, the introduction of Rule 12, concerning the Confederation’s role in inter-union disputes. The Confederation is now positioned as a final stage of arbitration, to be used only after all other avenues have been exhausted and supported by documented evidence. Rule 12(a) also provides that requests for agenda items must be submitted and approved by the President at least seven days prior to a meeting.

It was further agreed that future rule changes will be AGM business and meetings may operate on a majority vote basis.

ETS Technology Raises Concerns

The continued evolution of electronic timing systems was also discussed. While international approval through the FCI provides a recognised standard, delegates expressed concern about the impact of advancing technology, particularly cloud based systems that facilitate remote home evaluation. There was strong consensus that, while convenient, such developments risk undermining the traditional club structure, which remains central to the sport’s integrity and social fabric. Physical verification at club level continues to be viewed as essential to ensuring transparency, maintaining trust and community amongst fanciers.

Raptor Issues

An update on raptor predation highlighted ongoing frustrations. A review of historic documentation linked to the Raptor Alliance indicated that changes to the Wildlife and Countryside Act have shifted emphasis towards biodiversity, placing pigeon racing interests at a disadvantage. This further reinforces the need for a unified voice when engaging with government and regulatory bodies.

Disputes and Inter-Union Cooperation

Both meetings emphasised the need for improved processes surrounding disputes and disciplinary matters. The issue of suspended members moving between unions remains a concern, and delegates agreed that greater alignment of suspension rules and improved information sharing are necessary. Proposals are under consideration for a shared register of suspended members, alongside the rules ensuring that disputes and outstanding debts are resolved before transfers between unions are permitted. The delegates reiterated that these matters should be addressed at club, regional, and union levels before escalation to the Confederation, which should act as a final arbiter.

Wider Issues: Olympiad and Vaccination

Looking ahead, the Royal Pigeon Racing Association confirmed that the UK withdrew the bid to host the 2028 Olympiad due to ongoing uncertainty surrounding UK–EU SPS agreements. Attention has now shifted to 2032 as the earliest potential opportunity. Meanwhile, concerns were raised regarding the availability of PMV vaccinations in Ireland, highlighting ongoing logistical and regulatory challenges facing the sport.

Conclusion

Taken together, discussions across both meetings underline the significant challenges facing the sport: declining membership, increasing regulation, technological change and financial pressures. However, the growing commitment towards unity across unions signals a clear determination to adapt and move forward collectively.