AI UPDATE

Racing From France?
I got into work on Monday to find that the French Government has agreed to relax the ban on racing for its fanciers and from 1st May 06 the French fancy can resume racing. On the basis of this I have formally addressed this to DEFRA and requested that they relax the condition of British fanciers only flying within the British Isles (excluding the Channel Islands). I have already had a response form DEFRA who have stated that “changes in regulations in other Member States do not, in themselves, impact on our own assessment of the risk. I have taken advice from the veterinary experts and confirmed that our risk assessment remains unchanged that we feel that the risk is too significant to permit pigeon races from locations outside the British Isles at the moment due to the continuing danger of undetected infection from areas so recently infected.” This will certainly rule out any racing from France for May and possibly longer than this. Clearly until the situation stabilises both within the UK and on the continent there is little likelihood of DEFRA’s assessment changing. I will keep the situation under review.

AHDOs
I would welcome any feedback on visits from AHDOs and officials at clubs and liberation sites.

Amtrak
Amtrak have forwarded the following message with regard to AI and their service:
“Tests have confirmed that the H5N1avian flu virus was present in the swan found dead in Fife, Scotland. Based on the preliminary veterinary risk assessment a Wild Bird Risk Area has been established beyond the Protection and Surveillance Zones already in place. This requires keepers to house birds within the area which is approximately 2,500 square km in size. The AMTRAK KY1 location falls within this zone. As a result NO Homing Express COLLECTIONS will be made FROM the KY1 area until further notice. Similarly, NO Homing Express DELIVERIES will be made INTO the area. Other than this depot, every other depot in the network should be carrying on as normal.”

Distance Requests
Club secretaries can apply for distances by e mail in the following format only.
4100,SW1234
4100,SW2345
4100,SW3456
4222,SW1234
4222,SW5678 etc

There must be a comma after the libsite code, then the loft number with no spaces. Ideally these should be sent on the e mail form, as a text document or as a word attachment (not Excel). We will endeavour to return these within 72 hours but please bear in mind that the ever increasing popularity. Individual members applying for distances must apply by post as there is a charge

Distance requests are to be sent to mel@rpra.org
The General Manager regrets that wef 18 April 06 distance requests not sent to the correct e mail address will not be processed.

Transfers
I have reported previously that things have been relatively quiet in the Transfer department so far this year. Suddenly with a vengeance ring lists and transfers have arrived here at the Reddings. Please bear with us as we try to deal with the backlog and bear in mind that we will process your transfer on the date of arrival at the Reddings so that you comply with Rule 102.

Juveniles on Transporters
A reminder to convoyers of rule 18 ion their Convoyers Code of Conduct. ‘Juniors are not permitted to travel on transporters or to accompany the Convoyers etc.’

Peter Bryant
General Manager