From: RPRA <>;
Sent: 25 April 2022 12:41
To: Undisclosed recipients:
Subject: Channel Racing

Due the delay in the publication of the loft registration process I have written to the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Pigeon Racing, via email, requesting his assistance to speed up the process. A copy of the email can be found here https://www.rpra.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/APPG-230422.pdf It would be helpful if members contact their MP requesting their help. This contact could include a copy of my email to the APPG Chair. Ian Evans CEO

From: RPRA <>;
Sent: 07 April 2022 14:33
To: Undisclosed recipients:
Subject: Channel Racing Update

At today's meeting (7th April 2022) the following was discussed; LOFT/PREMISES REGISTRATION The process for registering lofts was outlined. Details on how to register will be published in the next two weeks via DEFRA/RPRA and other unions. From what we are told this will be a relatively straight forward process that can be done online or via a form that can be posted to DEFRA A somewhat surprising point was that the EU require lofts, that wish to take part in channel racing to be registered with a veterinary practice and have at least one visit from a veterinarian per year. It was stated that you will not need to have had a visit from a veterinarian before registering or racing but you will be expected to have a visit within the year and each year thereafter. VACCINATION All birds in the loft will have to be vaccinated not just the ones you are racing. THE EXPORT HEALTH CERTIFICATE DEFRA are seeking clarity from the EU in respect of one part of the certificate before publishing and providing guidance for the official veterinarians that are required to sign the export health certificate on behalf of the convoy. As mentioned above the details regarding processes of registration will be published within the next two weeks. Ian Evans CEO

From: RPRA <>;
Sent: 22 April 2022 16:33
To: Undisclosed recipients:
Subject: Channel Racing Update

In my previous update of 7th April I stated that the DEFRA loft registration process would be published within two week. This week I have been 'chasing' confirmation in relation to the process. However, as of 4.30pm today, Friday 22nd April 2022 I have received no information in this respect. I appreciate this is a frustrating position for everyone concerned and is impacting on the start of organisations channel race programmes. I will continue to push for this process to be published as soon as possible and as soon as I have any information I will share it through the normal channels. In the meantime I have held meetings with various veterinary practices to establish a list of of such practices that are willing and able to carry out loft visits to adhere to the EU loft registration requirements and also compile a list of Official Veterinarians that are able to sign export health certificates for organisations. This list will be published sometime next week and will be updated as and when necessary. Finally, I wish to clarify that the loft registration process is one imposed by EU regulations (not DEFRA) for those lofts wishing to race from EU countries. The reason that they have to be registered with DEFRA is purely down to the EU regulations requiring lofts to be registered with the competent authority within the country of origin. In the UK the competent authority is DEFRA Ian Evans CEO

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