RPRA 2018/ Vac List/Ring List/Rules etc –

The 122nd Annual General Meeting of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association was held at the Novotel Hotel, Long Eaton, Nottingham, on Friday, 23rd February 2018 at 9am. The meeting was opened by the outgoing RPRA President Mr L. Blacklock, who thanked everyone for attending and welcomed Councillors, Reserve Delegates, the General Manager, the Editor of the BHW, ladies from the Reddings and members. Apologies were received from Mr J. Lawley and Mr R. Jones, West Midlands Region replaced by Mr W. Lewis and Mr P. Hammond; Mr G. Daykin, East Midland Region replaced by Mr J. Dodd; North West Region Mr P. Murray standing down replaced by Mr S. Mellor; with Mr D. Holmes, East Midland Region and Mr A. King, Southern Region also standing down. The minutes of the last Annual General Meeting were passed as a true and accurate record. The General Manager then delivered his annual report for 2017.

RPRA-AGM-February-2018

RPRA-2018-Ring-List

RPRA-Official-Rules-2018

We understand that many of you at this time of year will have vaccinated, or are about to vaccinate, your pigeons against paramyxovirus, which can significantly harm their health.

Pigeon paramyxovirus infection is a notifiable disease. That means if you suspect it you must tell the Animal and Plant Health Agency immediately. Failure to do so is an offence.

To clear up any confusion about the vaccines you should be using, the VMD – the Government agency which regulates veterinary medicines in the UK – has set out what you must do to comply with the law when using medicines, including vaccines, for your pigeons.

Anyone using a medicine on a pigeon and indeed any animal must use a UK authorised medicine*. If you are unsure if the medicine is authorised in the UK you should consult the VMD’s online Product Information Database which has an A-Z listing of all UK authorised veterinary medicines. You can also select the target species ‘pigeon’ to search for all veterinary medicines which can be used in pigeons – there are currently 19.

Using an unauthorised medicine is an offence against the Veterinary Medicines Regulations. Illegal medicines can be seized and users and suppliers may be prosecuted.

The only time when you may use a medicine that is not authorised in the UK is when a suitable medicine is not authorised or available in the UK to treat the specific condition. On these occasions, your vet – and only your vet – may :
• use another medicine authorised in the UK for another species or condition that may be suitable or
• apply to the VMD to import a suitable medicine

The VMD will accept applications to import medicines including vaccines if there is no suitable medicine available or authorised in the UK to treat the specific condition. The VMD is aware that some pigeon owners may be tempted to treat their pigeons with, or improve their performance by, using unauthorised medicines such as antibiotics and steroids. As well as presenting a risk to your birds’ health and that of the handlers, this is illegal and you may be prosecuted.

* Some medicines for homing pigeons that contain certain ingredients do not have to have a marketing authorisation. For details about the legal exemptions for homing pigeons and other small pet animals see here.

Note: There is guidance on the gov.uk website on how to spot paramyxovirus infection in pigeons, what to do if you suspect it and measures to prevent its spread.

VMPs-authorised-for-pigeon-use-030418

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About the author

Willie Reynolds

Covering the sport in Ireland for several years, scribe for both BHW & RP and a number of local newspapers including the News Letter (Farming Life Supplement) each Wednesday. Secretary of Ballymena & District for a number of years and currently PO for the Mighty NIPA & INFC. Watch out for the many articles/news items penned by HOMER.

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