Just 3 weeks to go

[Andy]

So we’ve only got 3 weeks to go now until the start of the season for me and still a lot of uncertainty as to channel racing.
Following a meeting today between Ian Evans & DEFRA it appears that there are still some unknown issues.
It seems that we have to register our lofts with DEFRA, which appears quite straight forward and can be done either online or by post.
The surprising part to come out was that the EU requires every loft wishing to take part in channel racing is required to be registered with a veterinary practice and have a visit of the loft from the vet within the year, and at least once a year there after. It has been stated though that this doesn’t have to be done before registering or racing but has to be done within the year. All birds within the loft would be required to be vaccinated whether raced or not, ie all stock birds. Clarification of what is required by DEFRA is expected within the next 2 weeks.
The BICC have already put out today that they intend on fulfilling their full channel program starting with Guernsey on the 30th April.

[Andy]

Just checked the CSCFC & BBC websites and both are intending on going across the channel and have confirmed their programs with the exception of their first races which could both be from Guernsey.

[Murray]

What happens to the pigeons which are liberated on Guernsey, go 100 miles an hour until they hit the ocean, then go " NOOO".?
Over a period of years there must be lots of them.
In New Zealand the ports at Wellington in the North Island, and Picton in the South Island have big populations of racing pigeons which never made the jump across the water.

[Andy]

What happens to the pigeons which are liberated on Guernsey, go 100 miles an hour until they hit the ocean, then go " NOOO".?
Over a period of years there must be lots of them.
In New Zealand the ports at Wellington in the North Island, and Picton in the South Island have big populations of racing pigeons which never made the jump across the water.

I know what your saying Murray. They are liberated on the Guernsey coast then they have at least 70 miles of open water to cross before arriving at the south coast of England. I’m sure some of them do exactly what you say. But for the racing I’m interested in they have to cross the channel at some point. If they don’t want too their no good to me.

[Trev]

I think this latest news although promising for this season could still spell the beginning of the end for Channel racing in the UK as there are a lot of members who won't want to sign their lofts on with Vets and the costs involved in getting an annual vet inspection will end being extortionate, if you can find that will do it of course. I'm afraid it's still the EU playing silly buggers. It was a talking point at the club last night with the majority already suggesting they won't bother with Channel racing.

[Trev]

What happens to the pigeons which are liberated on Guernsey, go 100 miles an hour until they hit the ocean, then go " NOOO".?
Over a period of years there must be lots of them.
In New Zealand the ports at Wellington in the North Island, and Picton in the South Island have big populations of racing pigeons which never made the jump across the water.

I think you are right Muzza and I'm sure there are plenty of birds that do, I think with Guernsey as it's such a small Island and the water is right at the beginning of the race most do leave ok, it's the continental races that are different as in some cases the birds are expected to fly 400 to 500 miles before hitting, for some, as much as 100miles of water, this is where the birds need that courage and/or a bit of stupidity not sure which lol .
I have to say I have trained my birds right down on the beach before and liberated the birds with the baskets facing the water and when the birds come out they waste very little time turning back round and heading inland, they certainly do try to avoid the flying too far over the open sea. Having said that of course when I lived on the Isle of Wight the birds had to cross the sea from every race they had, now across the silent it's just a hop but coming from east or west you would need them to be brave enough to take on a bit more water. Although I didn't have much success racing over there the Island fanciers in general do have a fair amount of success in the big channel races.

[Murray]

I think this latest news although promising for this season could still spell the beginning of the end for Channel racing in the UK as there are a lot of members who won't want to sign their lofts on with Vets and the costs involved in getting an annual vet inspection will end being extortionate, if you can find that will do it of course. I'm afraid it's still the EU playing silly buggers. It was a talking point at the club last night with the majority already suggesting they won't bother with Channel racing.

Yes, you might be right, Trev.
The EU will be looking at even the smallest way to make life difficult for the UK. That in itself proves the Brexit was the best move.

[Andy]

I don’t think this will end channel racing. Those that want to fly the channel will still be able to do so. I think a lot of clubs and feds will stop flying the channel as it won’t be viable for them. A lot have already become mainly short/middle distance anyway. But the nationals will continue with channel racing making it available to those that want to do it. We don’t yet know what the full cost or implications will be but it doesn’t look like we need to worry to much for this season. The veterinary part has got to be done within the year so I understand.
You will get some fanciers that will say that south road racing is finished but they are the ones that probably don’t bother anyway. Some may say that they will give up. Again they are probably the ones that have been looking for an excuse. When vaccinations came in back in 1980 they said it would finish channel racing, it didn’t. They said that ETS would finish the sport, it hasn’t. Those wanting to continue will do so and find away around any hurdles put in front of them.

[Murray]

You are right, Andy, times change, old problems are solved and new ones come along. People who give it away were probably going to anyway.
My feeling is that there are far fewer flyers than there were perhaps 30 or 40 years ago but the fanciers competing today are very competitive and specialized. It is different, but that doesn't mean it's worse.

[Trev]

I don’t think this will end channel racing. Those that want to fly the channel will still be able to do so. I think a lot of clubs and feds will stop flying the channel as it won’t be viable for them. A lot have already become mainly short/middle distance anyway. But the nationals will continue with channel racing making it available to those that want to do it. We don’t yet know what the full cost or implications will be but it doesn’t look like we need to worry to much for this season. The veterinary part has got to be done within the year so I understand.
You will get some fanciers that will say that south road racing is finished but they are the ones that probably don’t bother anyway. Some may say that they will give up. Again they are probably the ones that have been looking for an excuse. When vaccinations came in back in 1980 they said it would finish channel racing, it didn’t. They said that ETS would finish the sport, it hasn’t. Those wanting to continue will do so and find away around any hurdles put in front of them.

I agree to a point Andy and agree that the organisations will still want to go across but I think you will be surprised how many fanciers won't want defra or the vets sniffing around their lofts and bareing in mind that their are a few anti pigeon racing people involved in these organisations that could well make life difficult for us. Also once the vets know we have no choice but to use them it will be a licence for them to print money especially with the money that is involved in the sport these days.