Pigeon Network

The RPRA have just sent out this information via Email:
Royal Pigeon Racing Association
★ IMPORTANT NOTICE ★
RPRA DRUG TESTING
PROGRAMME 2018
Council of the RPRA has approved drug testing for the 2018 season
For 2018 the RPRA will be using a UK based laboratory for its drug testing programme.
There will be a number of amendments to the process, contained within Appendix G of the RPRA rules,
which include the following:
• Only trained personnel will be able to carry out sample collections on behalf of the RPRA. RPRA will
maintain a list of trained/authorised personnel.
• Two samples will be collected.
In addition:
• Authorised sample collectors will be provided with an identification document.
• Test kits will only be issued to RPRA authorised sample collectors.
Organisations who wish to have representatives trained as sample
collectors should contact Dorothy Hadley.
Email: dorothyhadley@rpra.org
Telephone: 01452 713529
To encourage organisations to conduct performance-enhancing drug tests a budget of £12,000 has been
set aside to undertake drug tests during 2018. RPRA Organisations can therefore send samples for testing
free of charge.
TO ENCOURAGE CLUBS FURTHER, FREE TESTS ARE OFFERED ON THE
FOLLOWING BASIS: ORGANISATIONS WITH LESS THAN 40 LOFTS 2 FREE TESTS;
ORGANISATIONS WITH BETWEEN 40 AND 400 LOFTS 4 FREE TESTS;
ORGANISATIONS WITH MORE THAN 400 LOFTS 12 FREE TESTS.
The RPRA Performance Enhancing Drugs Committee will also be carrying out random testing during the
2018 season. Appendix G – Rule 3a applies.
The charge for additional tests to RPRA Affiliated Organisations will be:
• £15 plus VAT and postage for test kits
Plus • £95 plus VAT per test
The charge for Non-affiliated Organisations will be:
• £15 plus VAT and postage for test kits
Plus • £130 plus VAT per test
It is the responsibility of all fanciers to ensure that no banned substances, as laid down in Appendix ‘G’ of
the current RPRA Rules, are administered to their racing pigeons in any form.
Fanciers are strongly advised to check with the manufacturer or seller of all ingredients of any products
used.
Chief Executive, Royal Pigeon Racing Association,
Reddings House, The Reddings, Cheltenham, Glos. GL51 6RN
Telephone: 01452 713529.

This was the accompanying document:

APPENDIX ‘G’ (See Rule 199)
Performance enhancing drugs/substances
Amendments/additions to Appendix G passed at the RPRA AGM are highlighted in bold.
1. These rules are drawn up by the Council of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association under the powers granted by virtue of Rule 199.
2. The use in pigeons of the following are strictly forbidden:
ANABOLIC STEROIDS, BETA AGONISTS, CORTICO STEROIDS, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY NON-STEROIDS,
OPIATES, ANALGESICS, PERFORMANCE ENHANCING STIMULANTS, SYNTHETIC HORMONES, ANY DRUG
FOUND TO BE PERFORMANCE ENHANCING PLUS ANY SUBSTANCE WHICH MAY BE USED IN AN
ATTEMPT TO MASK THE ABOVE.
When products of which the composition is not specified are administered, we advise fanciers to ask for an attestation from their
pharmacist or vet stating that the product does not contain forbidden substances.
3a. In order to detect the above banned substances, the RPRA is authorised to take immediate steps, namely for taking of samples
before, during or after the race, from the lofts or pigeons of its members.
3b. A sample may also be taken from the containers used to transport the pigeons from the member’s loft to the marking station. It is
in the interest of every member to ensure that the container and its contents is free from any trace of the substances listed in paragraph
2 of Appendix G.
4. Only a suitably trained person, authorised by the RPRA in the presence of a witness is to collect samples. At no time
shall the owner or representative take part in the collection of faeces. The collection of samples will be carried out by persons
authorised by the RPRA on behalf of the organisation requiring the test or upon instruction of the RPRA Council, or Region
concerned.
5.A sample may be taken from a member’s loft or pigeons as laid down in paragraph 3b. Two samples, A & B will be taken for testing.
The containers will be sealed and labelled in the presence of the affiliated member or his nominee. The containers will be sent to
the Laboratory P.O. box contained on the sample packaging and the documentation labelled F1 will be returned to the RPRA
by the official referred to in paragraph 4 together with the appropriate fee. Only the laboratory authorised by the RPRA can carry out
testing of sample A. In the event of a positive test Sample B will be retained by the RPRA authorised Laboratory until
notified in writing by the RPRA Chief Executive that the sample may be destroyed.
6. Any tests that are referred back to the RPRA as being incorrectly taken may be subject to charge (please ensure all written
instructions within the testing kit provided are fully completed).
7. Upon receipt of the result the Chief Executive shall forward the details in confidence to the affiliated member or his nominee, the
race organiser and the Region concerned.Whilst waiting for a test result, the owner of the suspected pigeon(s) shall not have any claim
to any prize or title which any of his pigeons may have achieved. If the resulting test is negative this restriction will be lifted immediately.
8. If the result is positive, notification would be by Recorded Delivery. The information will also be conveyed in confidence to the PED
Committee.
9. In the case of a clearly positive result of a test, including those of the first analysis, all costs shall be borne by the offender.
10. Medical treatment may not be used as justification should the result prove positive. Pigeons undergoing medical treatment with
substances containing those listed in paragraph 2 cannot take part in races and must not be in a part of the loft dedicated to racing. In
the seven days following the closure of a race in which they have taken part, the pigeons may not be treated with any substance listed
in paragraph 2.
11. A member of the RPRA who is guilty of breaking these rules will, in the case of a positive analysis, be suspended with immediate
effect, subject to appeal direct to the RPRA Council. Such appeal must be lodged with the Chief Executive within 5 days of a positive
result.A non-refundable appeal fee of £325 must be paid within the same time frame. This fee will include the full sample analysis report
provided by the testing laboratory. The appellant will have the opportunity for the second sample (sample B) to be tested by a
laboratory of their choice. The appellant shall give notice in writing the Chief Executive within 21 days of notification of a positive test
result stating the grounds for appeal.Where the test of sample B has been requested the appellant has to disclose the result
to the RPRA prior to the Appeal Hearing.
Whilst under appeal the member may continue to compete but any winnings must be withheld and will follow the final result of the
appeal. Council may delegate the hearing of the appeal to a performance enhancing drugs appeal committee and its decision will be final.
If found guilty under RPRA Rule 199, the penalties are as laid down; a minimum period of three years suspension or expulsion from the
RPRA. Any prize(s) won in the 7 day period prior to the test will be forfeited.
12. If the owner or his nominee refuses or impedes the collection of samples,they will lay themselves open to the penalties as laid down
in RPRA Rule 199, as though they had been found guilty of using a substance as laid down in paragraph 2.
13. The owner or his nominee may demand proof of identity and sight of the authorization of persons (minimum of two) who take the
samples.
14. Details of how to collect samples are included with the kit supplied by the Chief Executive. All charges involved will be given on
application to The Reddings.
15.Any member of the RPRA who is found to have aided and abetted any other person, either actively or passively, in the administration
of performance enhancing drugs, or attempts to disguise their administration shall be deemed guilty and will be dealt with under article
10"
Surely Performance Enhancing Stimulants must cover every additive a pigeon fancier adds to the drinking water, be it Garlic, Multivits or even Glucose, no-one is going to add anything that detracts from performance.