2025/26 Secretary Report - Fred Russell CEO

[willie reynolds]

Please find attached a copy of the 2025/26 NIPA Secretary’s report which has been posted online
NIPA Office24 December 2025

2025 has been the most challenging year I have ever had to deal with during my time as the NIPA Secretary.
The NIPA was aware that new EU laws were due to come into force in 2025, with the possibility of similar legislation being introduced in the UK in 2026. These new laws have had, and will continue to have, a serious impact on our organisation. They require a significant increase in the number of drivers in order to remain compliant.
Our Transport Manager, Paul Howard, put forward a strong case to Swansea requesting that the NIPA be recognised as a Showman Organisation, which, if successful, would have exempted our transporters from these new regulations. Initially, we were informed that we met the criteria, and this news was welcomed as it would have allowed us to continue operating as in previous years.
Unfortunately, this decision was overturned by senior officials at Swansea, and our application was refused. This left us with no alternative but to implement the new laws and make substantial changes to our operations.
The NIPA currently collects pigeons from approximately 75 clubs, which places heavy demands on driver hours. The only viable option to comply with the new regulations would have been to reduce collections by half. An attempt was made to explore this option; however, while some clubs would not have been affected, others would have faced significant inconvenience. Each affected club provided genuine reasons why transhipping birds to a central collection point would not be possible.
It became clear that this approach was unworkable, and with only a few weeks remaining before the start of the racing season, we had no choice but to employ up to six additional drivers and double-man the transporters. This resulted in a substantial increase in wages, reflected in the accounts as an additional £31,000.
Sourcing suitable drivers proved extremely difficult. For the first three weeks, all six new drivers were required. As we introduced transhipping of crates between lorries, we were able to reduce this number to five and eventually complete the season with four additional drivers. The cost of transhipping amounted to £7,000, which is included in the figure above.
There were some savings: toll charges reduced by £500, and diesel costs fell by approximately £5,600. However, compliance with the new laws required the installation of digital tachographs in all transporters at a cost exceeding £8,000. Cross-channel freight increased by £2,100, and vehicle maintenance, including tyres and parts, rose by £7,100. We did, however, receive an additional £6,500 from outside sources.
National Race Income
In previous seasons, transfers from National Race income ranged from £18,000 at their peak to £12,000 at their lowest.
In 2025, due to very poor race entries, only £6,000 was transferable. This amount then flowed into the following breakdown: £2,300 to diesel, £2,300 to wages, and £1,400 to maintenance. These figures represent half of what was received the previous year and are the lowest amounts since this system was introduced. All figures are calculated as a percentage of the costs of running these races.
Depreciation continues to be a significant factor in the accounts. In agreement with our auditors, depreciation on transporters has been reduced from 20% to 10% per annum, affecting only the value of fixed assets.
At the start of the season, crate fees were increased by £3.00 to offset anticipated expenditure. Unfortunately, this still resulted in a shortfall of approximately £8,000, largely due to the poor number of young birds being raced. It is simply not sustainable to operate seven transporters to collect only 12,000–14,000 pigeons. If this trend continues into 2026, the NIPA will have to take a serious look at this situation.
Members should also be aware that almost the entire transport team has indicated they will not be returning for the 2026 season, with the exception of Desi Graham, who is considering his position over the Christmas period. I sincerely hope Desi returns, as he has been a valued and long-serving member of staff.
Four weeks ago, I met with Paul Howard and David Adams at my home to finalise all outstanding matters for 2025, including the accounts. At that time, everything appeared positive for 2026. This changed following the submission of a raft of propositions from two sections. In my opinion, these were the worst set of propositions I have ever seen, with only two of approximately fifteen being accepted for the AGM agenda. When I asked one proposer if they wished to have no drivers next year, the response was, “We can get plenty of drivers.”
Shortly thereafter, while hosting another meeting prior to discussions with the President, I received a phone call informing me that Paul Howard had resigned, confirming that 2025 would be his final season as Transport Manager.
Paul Howard had received copies of the propositions and was particularly upset by one that would prohibit pets at race points. He viewed this as a personal attack and stated clearly that if he were forced to choose between his dog and transporting pigeons, his dog would always win.
This followed ongoing criticism regarding alleged failures to water or feed pigeons, drivers “looking home,” and accusations made on social media. When photographs were not posted from Roscrea due to a no-photography rule imposed by the monastery that owns the site (which is also a school/college), the response online was disgraceful, including comments such as “I smell a rat.”
Further propositions included placing paid officials to oversee staff and demands for extensive video recording. If you do not trust your employees, you should not employ them.
Paul Howard lost his father, Michael, very suddenly this time last year. Together, they had built a highly successful business, which continues to grow. Paul does not need the stress caused by a small minority within the pigeon organisation. His workforce, many of whom also drove our transporters, are loyal to him and have now resigned without any pressure from him.
Paul Howard has confirmed that all transporters will be ready for the start of the 2026 season.
I take this opportunity to thank Paul Howard and the Howard family for everything they have done for the NIPA. Their contribution is greatly appreciated by the vast majority of our members, and we wish Paul Howard continued success in his highly successful business.
I also take this opportunity to thank all drivers and helpers—past and present—for their commitment to the NIPA and to the sport of racing pigeons.
I would also like to place on record my sincere thanks to our Convoyer, Mr P. McNeice, who has decided to retire from the position this year, for his dedication and service to the organisation. In addition, I extend my thanks to our two scribes, Mr Willie Reynolds (Homer) and Mr Jordan Hughes, for their continued commitment and valuable contributions throughout the year.
The General Account is in surplus by £4,279.00.
The 2025 Balance Sheet shows that the NIPA holds assets and cash totalling £678,496.53, down from 2024 by £9,510.99. The accounts place the NIPA in an excellent position for the future—please look after them, as every penny will be required in the years ahead.
Most of you are aware that I wish to retire in 2026. The NIPA Committee is aware of my concerns and is doing its utmost to resolve them. At this time, I cannot make any further comment.
I wish to thank Race Controller Jim Ramsay and his team, all club secretaries and treasurers, the NIPA Committee and officials for giving up their valuable time so that we can all enjoy the sport of racing pigeons. This is very much appreciated.
I would also like to thank George McDowell of Kells, who assisted greatly by liaising with the printers in Kilrea. George has not been well during the past year and is now at home recovering. We wish him well and thank him sincerely for his help and commitment.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank two men, without whose help the General Account would not be in as good a position as it is.
Mr David Mawhinney and Mr David West for their assistance in arranging supplies and distributing Unikon products. We will not know until the New Year whether this will continue under the newly established UK Unikon company.
I would also like to thank Mr G. Donaldson for once again taking charge of selling a number of young birds to assist the General Account, and for photographing all major French-winning pigeons.
I conclude by challenging all clubs to come forward with a viable solution as to how 75 club lifts can be reduced by half without causing undue inconvenience. Members should note that the continuing decline in membership within the NIPA and its affiliated clubs, together with the resulting reduction in birdage, will inevitably lead to a decrease in race income. This reduction is occurring at a time when overall transport and racing costs to the NIPA continue to increase.
Finally, take pride in your organisation, support it fully, and stop all negative postings—if you do not, you risk losing it altogether.
May I remind all clubs to complete and return details of the number of crates currently in their possession, including the number of aluminium crates. This information is required as a matter of urgency.
In addition, clubs are reminded that the race programme voting papers must be completed and returned.
I wish you all a very enjoyable 2026 Racing Season, and hope that weather conditions for racing pigeons improve.
Best regards,
F. C. Russell
CEO, the NIPA