Beith backs pigeon racers in rates fight

2.00.00pm GMT Mon 3rd Dec 2007

Berwick's Liberal Democrat MP Alan Beith has backed pigeon keepers in their fight against HM Revenue and Customs. He has tabled a Commons Motion calling for pigeon racing to be treated in the same way as other sports are by public bodies, and to benefit from tax reliefs available to sporting bodies.

Alan Beith said

"Pigeon racing has been recognised as a sport for over a century and is enjoyed by tens of thousands of people across the UK. I hope the Government will see sense and extend the same benefits to pigeon racing that are enjoyed by other sports. I hope the Government will see sense and include pigeon racing with other sports which can benefit from tax relief."

Alnwick District Councillor Carol Grey is a member of Craster Pigeon Club, which is over fifty years old. She said

"To say that pigeon racing is not a sport is absolutely ridiculous - it's the same as greyhound racing and horse racing. It should be treated the same and given the same tax exemptions and benefits as other sports."