AI Update
Many of you know that the French Association last week announce to the French Government that they intended to ignore the racing ban. This caused a review by the French Ministry and I am told but have not yet seen it confirmed that the French Government have agreed for pigeon racing to recommence with the exception of German federations, AI still being rife there.

This news was conveyed to DEFRA with a request to review their racing ban from the continent as a matter of priority in order that we could make arrangements for young bird racing. The response? Quote “We are under no obligation to take the same decisions as the French Government! Our vets are keeping the situation under constant review.” Unquote! Totally, totally frustrating. I have now referred this response to the Chief Vet.

Last week at a meeting of the President and Vice Presidents it was agreed that we should canvass Council members to agree to exploratory legal advice to see if we would have a case to challenge these somewhat bizarre DEFRA decisions. Council has agreed to that and I have put the wheels in motion. It will entail getting opinion of Counsel (a barrister) who specialises in litigation. I will of course keep you advised on progress on this.

Rain, Rain and more Rain
It will not have gone unnoticed that we have had something of a deluge in Gloucestershire recently. First Sheffield and the Don area, then Hull and now Gloucestershire. The county just about came to a standstill last Friday and we are still feeling the repercussions of the flooding now (Tuesday). More rain is forecast this week. What I am getting around to is that this is affecting operations at the Reddings. Some members of staff are having difficulty getting to work. We also have water cuts and power cuts so if you have been unable to get through please bear with us, it really is out of our hands when the telephones and power goes down.

Peter Bryant
General Manager
The Royal Pigeon Racing Association