The Royal Pigeon Racing Association
VIEW FROM THE REDD
ETS – THE
RULES
It was
another busy Council meeting at
The Rules
agreed were as follows:
Rule 3d
to read ‘the establishment of a uniform system of measurement for all flying
routes, a uniform running allowance and the securing of uniform systems of
timing.’
Rule
133(3) ‘In any advertisement of an open race the Organisation arranging the
race must state the code number for the liberation site for the race and if there is provision for the use of ETS’.
Rule 201. Members must time-in their birds by means of a timing
clock or electronic timing system (ETS) of a type approved by the Association
Council. Etc etc
Then new
rules under the heading
ELECTRONIC TIM
230. All
Association
231. No
Association member can be compelled to us an electronic timing system.
232. It
is the responsibility of the member to check that each organization he intends
to compete with has the equipment needed to enable him to use his ETS.
233. The
necessary hardware and software for the organisation’s administration of ETS
must be held under lock and key at the organization or other approved premises,
to be accessed by a minimum of two officials. The operation of the hardware and
software is only permitted by authorized
23
235.
Electronic rings must be allocated to the ring numbers of the member’s pigeons
before the start of old bird and young bird racing respectively. Allocation on
marking nights will only be permitted due to a defect or loss of an electronic
ring.
236.
After each allocation a list must be printed in duplicate, each of which must
be signed by an authorised person of the organization and countersigned by the
member. One signed list is to be filed along with race entry documentation and the
other handed to the member. The allocation data must be stored on a backup disk
in case amendments become necessary during the season. Any organization to
which the member is affiliated may demand to see the allocation list.
237. All
electronic timers set with the ETS radio clock shall deemed to be correct with
TIM.
238. All
ETS race entry sheets and race arrival reports must be printed directly from
the ETS printer and not via a PC printer. These must contain the competitor’s
name, address, race and date. One copy must be retained by the organization and
one copy given to the competitor. Both copies must be signed by an official of
the organization and the competitor. No member is permitted to take part in the
race marking/entry process of his own pigeons.
239. If a
day pigeon is timed in races lasting more than one day, the ETS must be taken
to a clock station for a progress reading/print out. If the ETS is required for
further timings it will be struck off at a later date.
2
2
Continental
Racing and the Isolation Issue
Whilst no
doubt the vast majority of fanciers are delighted that we have secured
unrestricted distance continental racing I have received a few comments about
the 7 day isolation period for pigeons racing from the continent. I have
asked DEFRA for an answer to those questions of why, without any cases of AI
apparent on the continent, is there a requirement for isolation. The
response is as follows ‘
The
incubation period is the time interval from initial infection until the onset
of clinical signs. This ranges from a minimum to a maximum depending
on factors such as the species of bird, age, health status, infectious dose
etc.
Based on
current data the OIE maximum incubation period for notifiable avian influenza is 21 days. The average
incubation is 3-5 days (with the maximum being up to 21
days) therefore we assess that a safe margin is 7 days during
which birds should be isolated from other birds and regularly inspected for
signs of disease. This condition aims to reduce the risk that birds
that have been exposed to avian influenza viruses during the race,
mix with and infect other birds before disease is detected. It is crucial
that birds are regularly inspected in this period and any suspicious signs are
reported. This measure reduces this risk but does not eliminate the risk;
it makes the assumption that pigeons will show clinical signs of
disease within the average incubation period. The fact that there
has been no AI in wild birds in
Ministerial
agreement that international racing could take place was only secured on
the basis that there was an isolation period and we are
not going to change this decision.’
This last
sentence is pretty conclusive. One area that gives hope on this is the fact
that the FCI are conducting research on AI, research in whic
2008
I have
asked to clarify that the
RPRA One
Loft Race – Vacancy for assistant
After
just over 2 years Paul Stocker, Jeremy’s very capable assistant at the Birtsmorton loft, is leaving for pastures new. We therefore
have a vacancy for a loft assistant to continue the great work that Jeremy and
Paul have done. It will be a minimum of 20 hours a week helping with the
management of the pigeons and assisting in the training. Pay will be
around £5.50 per hour. If you are interested in helping to continue the
exceptional success of what is arguably the best one loft race in the country
then please get in contact with either Jeremy Davies on 07739 1
General
Manager
The Royal
Pigeon Racing Association