RPRA Channel Racing update

Submitted by Michael Young on Fri, 21/05/2021 - 11:46

EU ANIMAL HEALTH REGULATIONS – CHANNEL RACING
21 May 2021

As previously published, the EU has agreed to extend the transitional period for the new Animal Health Regulations until October 2021. This news was taken as a positive step towards achieving channel racing, with the understanding that we would be able to move pigeons into the EU on the same basis as we have for decades.

However, during the transitional period, EU member states are permitted to apply their own national rules, and this is where we currently have an issue. The French position is that an Animal Health Certificate remains a requirement. The requirements of the Health Certificate include but are not limited to:

1. The loft being under the surveillance of an approved veterinarian, who would sign the Health Certificate, that in turn requires points 2 and 3 below.

2. The pigeons could not take part in any races for a period of 30 days prior to being moved into France.

3. Each loft would have to supply evidence of a negative test for Paramyxo and Newcastle Disease, carried out by an approved laboratory at least 7 days in advance of being transported.

What is being done?

Discussions are ongoing. The RPRA is working with the appropriate UK authorities, APPG, a supportive French Senator, the FCF and FCI to lobby the French authorities. These discussions are based on the low risk pigeons pose to the spread of the two diseases at the centre of the health certification requirements – Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza. The aim is to remove the requirements of the Health Certificate and proceed on the same basis as we have for decades.

As a contingency we are also exploring the rules associated with moving pigeons into Belgium, Holland and Germany. It may prove possible to move pigeons into these countries without the Health Certificate. If this proved positive we would at least provide an opportunity for cross channel racing from these countries.

Why hasn’t the RPRA previously explored the possibility of racing from other European countries?

Because until the EU applied the transitional period mentioned above, such actions would not have been possible.

We will provide the next update as soon as we have any information or by next Friday at the latest.