Read the latest news from the RPRA re Channel racing: - 

From: RPRA <>;
Sent: 01 April 2022 09:19
To: Undisclosed recipients:
Subject: Channel Racing

The meeting scheduled for today with representatives from DEFRA has been postponed until Thursday 7th April. I received notice late yesterday afternoon and despite my respectful request that this meeting is not delayed I have been informed that due to the availability of DEFRA officials that this meeting can not go ahead.. Although disappointing we have to consider the competing priorities DEFRA have with the ongoing Avian Influenza issues in the UK. However, I know first hand that DEFRA have given this issue due consideration and have been working hard with the RPRA and EU, on behalf of the confederation to achive a solution. Despite this disappointment it is important to note that due to the amendments made by the EU to the requirements of entry for Racing pigeons, we now have a solution to the issues that prevented racing from the continent in 2021. As a summary the requirements of entry into the EU from UK are as follows: 1. The pigeons have to be vaccinated against Paramyxo. The vaccine used has to be one approved for use in the UK by the VMD. 2. The lofts/premises of origin have to be registered with the competent authority of the third country. In the UK this is DEFRA 3. Each convoy will require an export health certificate signed by an official veterinarian (OV). At next weeks meeting we hope to be able to confirm the registration process with DEFRA. We are working with an OV to produce guidance that will assist organisations in achieving channel racing for their members. However, this guidance can not be completed until we have had the meeting with DEFRA. Clearly, we now have a solution to meeting the requirements of entry that will facilitate channel racing in 2022. We ask that everyone remains patient and we will publish an update as soon as possible following the meeting with DEFRA. Ian Evans CEO

The National Flying Club committee meeting was held on Wednesday the 16^th March at Alverley Social Club. The Chairman Mr Paul Naum opened the meeting at 9:40am with apologies received from absent section representatives. Mr Tom Scott was then proposed and accepted as a new representative for section J, followed by a review of the previous meeting minutes.

NFC Secretary Sid Barkel has made an excellent job of the yearly handbook which is now ready for printing and will be posted out to all fully subscribed members in April.

The Chairman went on to discuss the practices and logistics of the National Flying Club providing an equal service to the whole country and proposed that after a meeting with Mr J Edwards and Mark Lamley, Managing Director of PJ Logistics that for the 2022 season, our birds will be transported by PJ Logistics who are based a few miles from Portsmouth. The Chairman pointed out his reliance and appreciation of the vast experience of John Edwards in the transport and logistics industry, which he has always made available the Chairman and the Committee. Dom McCoy has decided to resign as Chief Convoyer and Phil Leech will be taking over the position with Levi Leech as Reserve Convoyer.

The birdage charge for the 2022 season was discussed at great length with our Treasurer Mr Stephen Beardmore providing the Committee with a comprehensive profit and loss balance sheet to reflect the true position of the costs of running the club. With the recent rise in fuel prices and being somewhat uncertain about the future prices, it was discussed at length as to the best way forward. Two propositions came forward, one with increases to certain race points and another to increase by 50 pence for all races, which was carried. So for the 2022 season the NFC birdage will go up by 50p to £4.50 per bird which reflects the rising costs in inflation. Some good news is that Roger Sutton confirmed that Vanrobaeys will continue to sponsor the National Flying Club for the 2022 season by supplying all the feed requirements for each race.

The venue for the presentation in 2023 is planned to be held at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate although Mick McGrevey informed us that the cost per room has also increased to an amount he felt that it was too much to expect members to pay, so he will be trying to negotiate a lower price whilst looking into alternative venues with Birmingham and Alton Towers being suggested.  

The NFC will be in attendance at the Epsom Show this weekend with Chairman Paul Naum, Drew Callum and Dom McCoy there to answer your queries. The NFC young bird sale is now competed with a total of £5,500 raised with some fantastic pigeons having been donated by top lofts and we thank all those involved especially John Burgham and Stuart Treharne, who also informed the meeting that those members who had previously been using the Cwmtillery marking station can now more easily use the new marking station at Bristol as the Prince of Wales bridge on the M4, has opened up toll free both ways.

News and Views to me Chris Sutton on 01530 242548 or 07792 356330 email

Latest info re Channel Racing from the RPRA: - 

From: RPRA <>;
Sent: 25 March 2022 13:10
To: Undisclosed recipients:
Subject: Inland and Continental Racing

Firstly before I go any further I wish to express the inportance of complying with the Avian Influenza code of practice. There is a legal requirement to inform the APHA of the venue and dates etc of all markings see https://www.rpra.org/avian-influenza-code-practice-pigeon-racing/ Inland Racing. Despite information circulating I can confirm that races scheduled to start the weekend of 2nd April will go ahead. Continental Racing I have received a call this morning (25th March) to confirm that the EU has amended the export certificate to include the amendments highlighted in my last update. I have not seen the document but it is in the hands of DEFRA who will arrange a meeting next week (date to be confirmed) to discuss next steps including loft registration etc. This is clearly very good news. Ian Evans CEO

From: RPRA <>;
Sent: 14 March 2022 14:27
To: Undisclosed recipients:
Subject: Channel Update

Despite my publication of 2nd February 2022 where I asked for patience and outlined what was required to achieve Channel racing there are still many posts on social media that demonstrate a lack of understanding of what is required; it also demonstrates frustration in relation to publishing the relevant confirmation. While I understand peoples frustration their misleading statements do nothing to help the situation; quite the opposite. In my update of 2nd February 2022 I outlined what was required to achieve the position of being able to race from the continent in 2022. If you have not already done so then please read this update available here https://www.rpra.org/euahregs-channel-racing/ In summary the statement outlined the following; The latest amended Export Health certificate published in January by the EU would not work. Therefore, the certificate required amending. I outlined that we had direct conversations with the EU and via DEFRA to achieve these amendments and although I could not provide any guarantees, the EU through DG Sante (Department of Health) had indicated in an email that these amendments would be agreed. The update then went on to outline that as soon as the certificate was amended DEFRA would publish a document for members to register their lofts, as per EU requirements. However, DEFRA could not and would not publish such a document until the certificate had been amended. In short until the certificate is amended the registration document does not exist. As soon as it does it will be published on the RPRA website along with a notice on social media, BHW and an email sent to club secretaries. My update also outlined that the indicated timescales to achieve these amendments was weeks, but highlighted that progress was very much in the hands of the EU. Six weeks later the document has not yet been amended but we are receiving indications that this will happen within the next two weeks and possibly this week. I can guarantee you that this is the most important item on my/our agenda and that as soon as is reasonably possible (after the EU amend the health certificate) we will be publishing guidance and the relevant documents for registration; BUT we cannot do any of this until the EU amend the certificate. I remain confident that this issue will be sorted to facilitate Channel racing in 2022 Ian Evans CEO