This website is a work in progress which will continually evolve with practical solutions and answers to your questions to ensure you have everything you need to race pigeons from the EU.
Can I tell you when the Brexit reset will have a positive benefit for Cross Channel racing? No.
Can I help you with the current requirements for Cross Channel racing? Yes
2026 Racing Season
Loft visits for this season have begun.
Proposed Loft visit dates
Click here to go to the loft visit dates page
How can I help?
I have moved loft or House. Do I need a new CPH number?
Answer: Most likely YES.
Contact the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on 03000 200 301 for establishments in England or
Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online via Manage My CPH for establishments in Wales
I am not going to race across the channel in the coming season. what must i do?
Answer: Contact the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) on 03000 200 301 for establishments in England or
Rural Payments Wales (RPW) Online via Manage My CPH for establishments in Wales and tell them you are not racing across the Channel (excludes races from Guernsey).
When you sign the Owners Declaration (correctly known as Racing pigeon establishment operator declaration for the movement of racing pigeons to the EU or Northern Ireland for immediate release for racing back to Great Britain) you have agreed to the following irrespective of whether you actually race across the Channel or not.
- I agree the establishment will be registered with a veterinary practice
- I agree the establishment will receive at least one visit per year from a veterinarian, which must include an assessment of, and provision of relevant information on, signs of the occurrence of diseases, including the listed diseases referred to in Annex I to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 and diseases notifiable and reportable in Great Britain which are relevant to captive birds
Fancier or club
I can help the individual fancier sort out their paperwork to comply with the requirements of the loft visit and Owners Declaration, officially known as the APHA Registered Racing Pigeon Establishment Operator Declaration).
Your original County Parish Holding registration letter will look similar to these
The practice undertakes Annual Loft visits. To keep loft visit fees as low as possible; these are done as a group organised by a local fancier. It is your responsibility to make contact with and keep in touch with your local group and make sure you are aware of when these visits will be happening.
I can help the club or association to fulfil the requirements of the Export Health Certificate (EHC) 8465, so that the Official Veterinary Surgeon can sign it.
First page of EHC completed in 2022
David G Parsons MRCVS
October 2025