PIGEON RACING

That this House recognises the popularity of pigeon racing as a hobby across the country; notes that tens of thousands of people actively enjoy the sport in the UK, with the Royal Pigeon Racing Association alone having 37,000 members; further notes that thousands of jobs are dependent on the sport throughout the country and that enthusiasts raise very significant sums for a wide number of charities every year; is concerned that restrictions placed on pigeon racing during avian flu outbreaks both at home and abroad have a devastating effect upon the sport and its associated industries; welcomes the announcement of a new veterinary risk assessment by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) into pigeon racing and avian flu; and hopes that DEFRA may be able to reconsider some of the more disproportionate regulations currently in place on pigeon racing during avian flu outbreaks.