Following a detailed consultation and procedural review between Guernsey Ports and the Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA), with the support of the Office of the Director of Civil Aviation (Channel Islands) (ODCA), we are pleased to announce that a limited number of pigeon liberations will now be permitted from the island of Guernsey.

This agreement reflects a collaborative effort to ensure that all necessary protocols and safety measures are in place, enabling the continuation of this valued tradition under carefully controlled conditions.

These new protocols only apply to large-scale pigeon releases. The existing protocols for smaller, local releases remain the same for Guernsey based RPRA members.

Releases involving more than 100 pigeons at one time are classified as large-scale liberations and will be limited to a maximum of 20 releases per calendar year. Due to the increased risk to aviation safety posed by unusually large flocks, any large-scale releases—limited to 3,000 pigeons per event—must be co-ordinated through the United Kingdom’s Royal Pigeon Racing Association (UK RPRA).

Please note that all liberation bookings must be accompanied by a valid permit, which can only be obtained through the RPRA Racing Support department. For more information or to apply for a permit, please contact the RPRA Racing Support team on 01452 713529.