Take a Stand – Protect Pigeon Racing
Dear AU Member:
Recently, the AU reached out to its membership through letters and
other means seeking your counsel and advice on how we should
address a growing number of threats to our beloved sport of pigeon
racing. Frankly, we are not just being called to task on any one
area, but rather it is on many fronts we are under attack. Animal
rights extremists have, through court action, successfully gotten
the U.S. Department of Agriculture to consider imposing onerous
Federal regulations on us and on our birds. These same extremists,
backed by multi-million dollar budgets, have promoted legislation
in the Congress, which could ultimately affect our right to raise
and race pigeons. They have also lobbied the U.S. Postal Service
to prohibit or greatly restrict the transportation of live birds,
which again, would cripple our sport.
On other fronts, we also face grave threats. The Exotic Newcastle
Disease outbreak in California and the Southwest not only resulted
in the “depopulation” of millions of chickens, but also of a
number of pigeon lofts. That particular threat was devastating for
many. We are now faced with concerns about the rapidly spreading
Bird Flu, which has the potential to jump into the human
population with deadly consequences. In Asia, literally tens of
millions of birds have been killed in an as-yet unsuccessful
effort to stamp out this disease. It has been reported that the
disease, which is carried by migratory birds, especially
waterfowl, has reached Eastern Europe. It is only considered a
matter of time before it reaches the United States. Of course, we
must be responsible citizens in the face of this great threat. But
it is also important that the national response to this threat be
based on science and sound policy and not on hysteria. As with the
Exotic Newcastle Disease outbreak, the AU will continue to be in
the forefront of examining the impact of these diseases on racing
pigeons and advising the authorities based on our expertise.
Finally, there is a growing problem shipping live birds that
arises out of new terrorism-related restrictions after 9-11, as
well as out of a growing reluctance by many airlines to carry live
animals as a part of their Postal Service contracts. This latter
issue has already led to strong letters from members of Congress
to the Postal Service and may well require legislative action in
the near future if our shipping rights under the Constitution are
to be preserved.
Based on the extensive responses we received from AU members, the
AU has taken several actions. We continue to employ a Washington,
DC lawyer/lobbyist to act on our behalf before the Congress and
such federal entities as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and
the U.S. Postal Service. This added capability has made a hugely
positive difference in our ability to defend our interests and be
heard by key decision-makers. We distributed material at our 2005
annual convention providing guidance on how to be an effective
advocate for pigeon racing before all levels of government. This
material is available to all members. Over the coming months and
years, we will reach out to our membership as needed to launch
grassroots campaigns to defend our sport.
Finally, we have given great thought as to how to expand our
capability to fight, including examining the viability of
establishing political action committees, as well as a legal
defense fund. After due consideration, we have concluded that the
most simple and effective way to move forward at this time is by
establishing a voluntary legal defense fund. We are urging all
members and all clubs to contribute. The AU will establish a
separate account for this fund, to assure proper accountability.
It will be used initially to expand our existing legal and
lobbying efforts at the national level. We would ask every one of
our 10,000 members to consider contributing as best they can. If
each of our 600 clubs committed to raising $500, we would already
have $300,000, a truly awesome, but much needed sum of money to
fight these battles over the next few years.
Please consider this request and continue to provide us with
feedback on our efforts. Only by combining our experience,
knowledge and resources will we be able to fend off successfully
those who attack us and thus be able to pass on our great sport to
generations yet to come!
AU National Office
If you would like to donate please print off
this page and detach the below form and send your donation to the
address below. If you would like to make a payment using a Credit
Card (Visa/MasterCard) please use this secure link >> On-Line
Donation
____ Yes, I want to help support the AU to protect the right to
raise and race pigeons, enclosed please find my support of
___________.
____ Please send copies of the literature and brochures explaining
Effective Advocacy for the Pigeon Racing Community.
Please send this with your support to ARPU, PO Box 18465, OKC OK
73154
Thank you!
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