To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.


View sample alert

Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Closed Petition closed 1st January 2022

Save Pigeon Racing - Seek to reinstate racing from Europe - Final Signatures: 2,252

During Brexit negotiations, it would seem that this approval has been overlooked. My plea is for the Secretary of State for Defra to negotiate special dispensation from the EU to accept pigeons as a temporary import, in order for Pigeon Racing to continue from France/EU and support our communities.

Found: years we have enjoyed unfettered access by our friends and neighbours in France for our convoys of Racing


Departmental Publication (Guidance and Regulation)
HM Treasury

Apr. 28 2022

Source Page: Reference Document for The Customs Tariff (Establishment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
Document: The Tariff of the United Kingdom, version 1.8, dated 27th April 2022 (webpage)

Found: equina, Vicia faba var. minor) 0713500010 - - For sowing 0713500090 - - Other 0713600000 - Pigeon


Written Question
Pigeon Racing
Monday 17th May 2021

Asked by: Conor McGinn (Independent - St Helens North)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to (a) support and (b) promote the sport of pigeon racing.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Pigeon Racing is not listed under Sport England's list of recognised sports, which can be viewed here. DEFRA have issued full guidance here on gatherings concerning Columbiformes here.


Written Question
Pigeon Racing
Friday 9th July 2021

Asked by: Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op) - Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with the EU Commission and the French Government on the cross-Channel movement of racing pigeons between the UK and EU member states.

Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General

Now that the transition period has come to an end, Great Britain is treated as a third country by the EU and vice versa. The EU has different requirements for animals entering the EU from third countries than for those moving between Member States, including the requirement for the animals to be accompanied by a health certificate and/or quarantine periods where appropriate. The European Commission has recently stated its intention to allow movements of racing pigeons (for racing purposes) from GB to continue to enter the EU (and Northern Ireland) until 20 October under national rules applicable prior to 21 April 2021. After this period, these movements must meet the new requirements set out in the EU Animal Health Regulation and be accompanied by the appropriate EU Export Health Certificate.

We continue to encourage the EU, through our regular engagement, to act pragmatically as part of our new trading relationship.


Written Question
Pigeon Racing
Friday 9th July 2021

Asked by: Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op) - Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when restrictions on the cross-Channel movement of racing pigeons between the UK and EU member states will be lifted.

Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General

Now that the transition period has come to an end, Great Britain is treated as a third country by the EU and vice versa. The EU has different requirements for animals entering the EU from third countries than for those moving between Member States, including the requirement for the animals to be accompanied by a health certificate and/or quarantine periods where appropriate. The European Commission has recently stated its intention to allow movements of racing pigeons (for racing purposes) from GB to continue to enter the EU (and Northern Ireland) until 20 October under national rules applicable prior to 21 April 2021. After this period, these movements must meet the new requirements set out in the EU Animal Health Regulation and be accompanied by the appropriate EU Export Health Certificate.

We continue to encourage the EU, through our regular engagement, to act pragmatically as part of our new trading relationship.


Written Question
Pigeon Racing
Friday 9th July 2021

Asked by: Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op) - Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what restrictions apply to the cross-Channel movement of racing pigeons from EU member states to the UK.

Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General

Now that the transition period has come to an end, Great Britain is treated as a third country by the EU and vice versa. The EU has different requirements for animals entering the EU from third countries than for those moving between Member States, including the requirement for the animals to be accompanied by a health certificate and/or quarantine periods where appropriate. The European Commission has recently stated its intention to allow movements of racing pigeons (for racing purposes) from GB to continue to enter the EU (and Northern Ireland) until 20 October under national rules applicable prior to 21 April 2021. After this period, these movements must meet the new requirements set out in the EU Animal Health Regulation and be accompanied by the appropriate EU Export Health Certificate.

We continue to encourage the EU, through our regular engagement, to act pragmatically as part of our new trading relationship.


Written Question
Pigeon Racing
Friday 9th July 2021

Asked by: Luke Pollard (Labour (Co-op) - Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport)

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 ensure the cross-Channel free movement of racing pigeons between the UK and EU member states.

Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General

Now that the transition period has come to an end, Great Britain is treated as a third country by the EU and vice versa. The EU has different requirements for animals entering the EU from third countries than for those moving between Member States, including the requirement for the animals to be accompanied by a health certificate and/or quarantine periods where appropriate. The European Commission has recently stated its intention to allow movements of racing pigeons (for racing purposes) from GB to continue to enter the EU (and Northern Ireland) until 20 October under national rules applicable prior to 21 April 2021. After this period, these movements must meet the new requirements set out in the EU Animal Health Regulation and be accompanied by the appropriate EU Export Health Certificate.

We continue to encourage the EU, through our regular engagement, to act pragmatically as part of our new trading relationship.


Written Question
Pigeon Racing
Thursday 29th April 2021

Asked by: Lord Craig of Radley (Crossbench - Life peer)

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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that pigeon racing between the UK and Europe to continue without restrictions and, in particular, avian quarantine periods; and what assessment they have made of the effects of Article 62 of the European Union's delegated regulation 2020/692 on UK racing pigeons.

Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble

We have written to the European Commission on how the provision of Article 62 of Regulation 2020/692 may be invoked to obtain a derogation for racing pigeons, and we are actively seeking a response. We will update the industry as soon as possible.


Written Question
Pigeon Racing
Thursday 29th April 2021

Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations he has made to his EU counterparts on the effect of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 on cross-Channel pigeon racing.

Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General

Changes to EU law from 21 April 2021 affect the movements of certain live animals. As a consequence of this change, racing pigeons are considered to be in scope of the definition of ‘captive birds’ and the requirements for imports into the EU would apply. These include export certification and a period of quarantine prior to export to the EU.

Defra has sought technical clarification from the European Commission on the new rules as they apply to movements of racing pigeons, including how an EU derogation for racing pigeons might be granted, and we are actively seeking a response.


Written Question
Pigeon Racing
Thursday 29th April 2021

Asked by: Lyn Brown (Labour - West Ham)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of the UK leaving the EU on cross-Channel pigeon racing.

Answered by Victoria Prentis - Attorney General

Changes to EU law from 21 April 2021 affect the movements of certain live animals. As a consequence of this change, racing pigeons are considered to be in scope of the definition of ‘captive birds’ and the requirements for imports into the EU would apply. These include export certification and a period of quarantine prior to export to the EU.

Defra has sought technical clarification from the European Commission on the new rules as they apply to movements of racing pigeons, including how an EU derogation for racing pigeons might be granted, and we are actively seeking a response.