Found: Farms as part of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/589997 133 Save Pigeon

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he has taken to support pigeon racing across the English Channel.

Answered by Jo Churchill - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Following successful discussions between Defra and the European Union (EU) Commission, supported by sector campaigning here and on the continent, the EU has recently introduced amendments to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/692 ('entry to the Union') together with an associated Export Health Certificate (EHC) to enable cross-channel pigeon racing to restart. Prior to these changes racing pigeons were within the scope of the EU's definition of 'captive birds' following the introduction of the Animal Health Regulation (AHR) in the EU on 21 April 2021. The requirements of this, including quarantine on arrival in the EU, had made racing non-viable for the sector and were disproportionate to the animal health risk posed to the EU by this activity.

To enable pigeon fanciers to utilise the derogation provided by the EU a registration system for establishments (pigeon lofts) will be made available from 24 May 2022. In addition, the new EHC for racing pigeons from Great Britain (GB) sent to the EU or Northern Ireland (NI) for the purpose of immediate release for racing back to GB, will be available on Gov.uk on the 24 May 2022.

Establishments must be registered with the competent authority if keepers want to use the new EHC and move racing pigeons from that premises in GB to the EU or NI for the purpose of immediate release for racing back to GB. Pigeon lofts that do not wish to engage in racing from the EU or Northern Ireland are unaffected by these changes.

This week I was elected as the new Chair for the All Party Parliamentary Group for Pigeon Racing. It remains a popular sport across our constituency, and I spent many happy Saturday afternoons as a child foisting myself on any loft that would have me as the birds came home.

As a result of a breakout of bird flu locally, residents across #Gedling have been informed of restrictions on keeping pet birds. These are also impacting pigeon racing. I’ve asked @DefraGovUK Minister for an update on when bird flu restrictions will be lifted across #Gedling⤵️ https://t.co/mwnoqx6gkT

Found: disease control zones an AIPZ without housing measures places where no zones apply Check the Royal Pigeon

Found: and information on biosecurity and animal disease control I understand that the derogation allowing pigeon

Found: the gathering is registered with APHA and the conditions of the General Licence are complied with , pigeon

Found: disease control zones an AIPZ without housing measures places where no zones apply Check the Royal Pigeon

Found: the gathering is registered with APHA and the conditions of the General Licence are complied with , pigeon

Found: Grouse/bird shooting Deer stalking Angling (largest sport) Sea fishing - lobsters Pigeon racing

Found: show, sale or exhibition; and • ii) the collection of pigeons from different lofts on a vehicle for pigeon

Found: Completed Pigeon register on ScotEID (post EU Exit requirement) to allow pigeon racing to continue.Blue

Found: Completed Pigeon register on ScotEID (post EU Exit requirement) to allow pigeon racing to continue.

Found: Any outbreak would also have a n impact on recreational activities , such as pigeon racing.