Discipline

39. A Member may be suspended, reprimanded, excluded or expelled for breach of any of the following:

(a) Guilty of dishonorable conduct.

(b) Willfully break these Rules.

(d) Refuse to comply with a decision of the Union on any matter affecting the Sport of Homing Pigeon Racing or Showing.

(e) The Union Secretary has plenary powers after the issue of a second warning to suspend a Member who willfully fails to

claim a stray pigeon within seven (7) days of receipt of notification. Second warning and suspension letters to be forwarded

by RECORDED DELIVERY.

(f) Malpractice:- The length of suspension to be fixed by the Executive Body at the time of imposition. The Executive Body of the

Welsh Homing Pigeon Union to fix the term of suspension for various offences.

(g) PERFORMANCE ENHANCING. Performance Enhancing Drugs/Substances

1. The following are STRICTLY FORBIDDEN in the use of Pigeons.

ANABOLIC STEROIDS, BETA AGONISTS, CORTICO STEROIDS, ANTIINFLAMMATORY NON-STEROIDS, OPIATES,

ANALGESICS, PERFORMANCE ENHANCING STIMULANTS, SYNTHETIC HORMONES, ANY DRUG FOUND TO BE

PERFORMANCE ENHANCING PLUS ANY SUBSTANCE WHICH MAY BE USED IN AN ATTEMPT TO MASK THE ABOVE.

When products of which the composition is not specified are administered, we advise fanciers to ask for evidence from

their Pharmacist or Veterinary Practice stating that the product does not contain forbidden substances.

2. In order to detect the above banned substances, the WHPU is authorised to take immediate steps, namely for taking

of samples before, during or after the race, from the lofts or pigeons of its Members.

3. A sample may also be taken from the containers used to transport the pigeons from the Member’s loft to the Marking

Station. It is in the interest of every Member to ensure that the container and its contents are free from any trace of the

substances listed in paragraph one (1).

4. Only a suitably trained person, authorised by the WHPU in the presence of a witness is to collect samples. At no time

shall the owner or representative take part in the collection of faeces. The collection of samples will be carried out by

persons authorised by the WHPU on behalf of the Organisation requiring the test or upon instruction

of the WHPU Council.

5. A sample may be taken from a Member’s loft or pigeons as laid down in paragraph three (3). Two samples, A & B will

be taken for testing. The containers will be sealed and labelled in the presence of the affiliated Member or his nominee.

The containers will be sent to the Laboratory P.O. box contained on the sample packaging and the documentation

labelled F1 will be returned to the WHPU by the Official referred to in paragraph four (4), together with the appropriate

fee. Only the Laboratory authorised by the WHPU can carry out testing of sample A. In the event of a positive test,

Sample B will be retained by the WHPU authorised Laboratory until notified in writing by the WHPU that the sample

may be destroyed.

6. Any tests that are referred back to the WHPU as being incorrectly taken may be subject to charge (please ensure all

written instructions within the testing kit provided are fully completed).

7. Upon receipt of the result the WHPU shall forward the details in confidence to the affiliated Member or his nominee,

and the Race Organiser concerned (Club/Federation/National/Combine). Whilst waiting for a test result, the owner of

the suspected pigeon(s) shall not have any claim to any prize or title which any of his pigeons may have achieved. If the

resulting test is negative this restriction will be lifted immediately.

8. If the result is positive, notification would be by Recorded Delivery to the offender. The information will also be

conveyed in confidence to the Council of the WHPU.

9. In the case of a clearly positive result of a test, including those of the first analysis, all costs shall be borne by the offender.

10. Medical treatment may not be used as justification should the result prove positive. Pigeons undergoing medical

treatment with substances containing those listed in paragraph one (1) cannot take part in races and must not be in a

part of the loft dedicated to racing. In the seven days following the closure of a race in which they have taken part, the

pigeons may not be treated with any substance listed in paragraph one (1).

11. A Member of the WHPU who is guilty of breaking these Rules will, in the case of a positive analysis be suspended

with immediate effect, subject to appeal direct to the WHPU Council. Such appeal must be lodged with the WHPU within

five (5) days of a positive result. A non-refundable appeal fee of twenty pounds (20) must be paid within the same time

frame. This fee will include the full sample analysis report provided by the testing laboratory. The appellant will have

the opportunity for the second sample (sample B) to be tested by a laboratory of their choice. The appellant shall give

notice in writing to the WHPU within twenty one (21) days of notification of a positive test result stating the grounds for

appeal. Where the test of sample B has been requested the appellant has to disclose the result to the WHPU prior to the

Appeal Hearing. Whilst under appeal the Member may continue to compete but any winnings must be withheld and

will follow the final result of the appeal. The WHPU Council will convene a hearing of the appeal and its decision will be final. If found guilty under WHPU Rule 39 (g), the penalties are as laid down which is a minimum period of three years

suspension or expulsion from the WHPU. Any prize(s) won in the seven (7) day period prior to the test will be forfeited.

12. If the owner or his nominee refuses or impedes the collection of samples, they will lay themselves open to the penalties as laid down in WHPU Rule 39 (g), as though they had been found guilty of using a substance as laid down in

paragraph one (1).

13. The owner or his nominee may demand proof of identity and sight of the authorization of persons (minimum of two

(2) who take the samples.

14. Details of how to collect samples are included with the kit supplied by the Secretary of the WHPU. All charges

involved will be given on application to the WHPU.

15. Any Member of the WHPU who is found to have aided and abetted any other person, either actively or passively, in

the administration of performance enhancing drugs, or attempts to disguise their administration shall be deemed guilty

and will be dealt with under the same rule.

(h) Any posts on Social Media by an individual which is derogatory or detrimental to Officers and Members of any

Organisation governed by the WHPU will be dealt with under this rule.

40. During the period of suspension, excluded and after expulsion of a Member the birds and loft owned by such Member

shall be ineligible to compete in any Race or Show in which Union Members are allowed to compete. No address or loft

which has been registered by a suspended, excluded or expelled Member shall be taken over by any Member of the Union

or by any Member of a Society Affiliated to the Union except with the consent of the Union. Objection may be taken to the

appointment of a person as a Member of the Union on the ground that he has taken over the loft or address of a

suspended, excluded or expelled Member without consent. A suspended Member may after a period of three (3) months

from the date of his suspension apply to the Union for its removal. Any Member of the Union advertising a clearance sale shall be debarred for three (3) years from competing in any Race or Show in which Union Members are allowed to

compete. Where mitigating circumstances exist any Member may apply to the Executive Body to be reinstated within the

stipulated three (3) years. If another Member lives at the same address, and has a separate loft with birds carrying rings

recognised by the Welsh Homing Pigeon Union that are proved to be owned by that other Member and registered in the

name of that other Member with the Union that has issued such rings at least six (6)months prior to the advertisement for

the clearance sale, then that Member shall be exempt from the terms of this Rule. The date of such sale must be

forwarded to the Union Secretary, and that the other Member at any reasonable time shall permit any Executive of the Union

or person authorised in writing by the Secretary of the Union to inspect the pigeons in his loft and if on such inspection

there shall be found to be pigeons registered in the name of the Member who has had a clearance sale then that Member

shall be debarred from competing in any race or show until the determination of the period of three (3) years from the

date of the advertisement of the clearance sale of the Member living at the same address.

41. AUCTION SALE: At all Pigeon Auction Sales, on completion of a financial transaction signed transfer cards shall be

furnished to the purchaser in respect of every bird purchased by him or her. Cards shall be signed by the registered

owner, or in the case of a partnership, by all partners or their representatives. In all Charity Auction Sales, a Balance

Sheet shall be published in the Fancy Press. Balance sheets and Names of Officials in charge of such an Auction must be

forwarded to the Welsh Homing Pigeon Union Office.

42. At least one week before the Meeting at which the resolution to suspend, exclude or expel a Member or Affiliated Society

is heard, notice of the place, date and time of such Meeting shall be given to such Member or Society and of the proposed

resolution and he or they shall at such Meeting and before the proposed resolution shall be put to the Meeting, have an

opportunity of questioning the basis of such resolution and/or any evidence or witness in support of the same and to give orally or in writing any explanation or defence including the calling of witnesses in his/her or their defence as they shall

think fit.

43. If an Affiliated Society shall in the opinion of the Executive Body conduct its affairs in a manner unbefitting an Affiliated Society of

the Union, or wilfully breaks or refuses to comply with any decision of the Executive Body, such Society shall after due enquiry

conducted in accordance with the preceding Rule be suspended, excluded or expelled from the privileges of the Union.

Any Member who was a Member of such Society shall thereupon also be suspended, excluded or expelled from the

privileges of the Union and shall not become or continue as a Member of any other Society Affiliated to the union or

become an Individual Member until he produces proof that he had been prepared to abide by the decision of the Union.

44. A suspended Member or Affiliated Society shall during the period of suspension and a Member of Affiliated Society

excluded or expelled shall absolutely forfeit the rights and privileges of the Union and its property.

45. An appeal by any Member against his suspension or expulsion or aggrieved by a decision of his Club shall be allowed to

appeal to his Federation, subject to the following provisions.

(a) Notice of such appeal shall be given in writing and within twenty-one (21) days of his suspension or expulsion or

aggravation to the Secretary of the Federation specifying his desire to appeal.

(b)The Secretary of the Federation shall thereupon give ten (10) days notice of the date and place appointed for the

hearing of the appeal to be sent by either registered or recorded delivery post to the Club and Member appealing. The

Appeal must be dealt with by the Federation within twenty-one days (21) days after receipt of appeal.

receive and consider written statements or explanations furnished by the parties.

(d) The decision of the Federation shall, within twenty-one (21) days be communicated to the parties affected, and shall

take effect from the date thereof, providing that, in the event of the Member's suspension, expulsion or aggravation being

confirmed, he shall have the right of final appeal to the Executive Body of the Union as herein after provided. In the event of

Member(s) appealing to the Executive Body of the Welsh Homing Pigeon Union against their suspension by their Federation they

would be allowed to continue racing/showing their pigeons as ordinary Members of their Club, Federation. They would not

be allowed to hold any Official position in their Club, Federation or Union, until such time as their appeal is heard in full by

the Executive Body of the Welsh Homing Pigeon Union and a decision reached by them.

NOTE: Members and Societies not Affiliated to a Federation may appeal direct to the Executive Body of the Union.

46. Any Affiliated Society or any Member of the Union who is aggrieved by the decision of a National / Federation / Combine

under these Rules may, in the absence of express provision to the contrary, appeal to the Executive Body subject to the following

provisions:

(a) Notice of such appeal shall be given in writing and shall state the grounds of appeal and shall be served upon the

Secretary of the Executive Body within twenty-one (21) days after the decision of the National / Federation / Combine . The notice

must be by recorded or special delivery. The Notice shall be accompanied by a deposit of £20.00, which will be returned if

the appellant is successful.

(b) Upon receipt of the Notice of Appeal, the Secretary shall forward a copy to the Secretary of the National / Federation /

Combine , who shall within ten (10) days after receipt of such Notice, forward to each party to the appeal a Minute of the

evidence taken and points raised before the Federation. The Appeal will be heard by the Executive Body within fifty (50) days.

(c) Any party to the appeal may, within ten (10) days after receipt of such Minute, by notice in writing to the National /

Federation / Combine and Union Secretary object thereto on the ground that it is inaccurate or that material evidence has

been omitted, or that points raised have not been clearly stated. The notice of objection shall clearly state the grounds of

objection. The notice of objection shall be considered by the National / Federation / Combine, who may make such

amendments (if any) of the Minute as they think fit. The Minutes of Evidence and points raised shall then be signed by the

Chairman and Secretary of the Federation and shall be binding and conclusive as to the evidence heard and received, and

the points raised at the appeal unless the Executive Body shall otherwise determine.

(d) The Secretary of the Executive Body shall, prior to the hearing of the appeal by the Executive Bodyl, furnish a copy of the

Minutes of Evidence and points raised to every party to the appeal.

(e) At the hearing of the appeal by the Executive Body, all parties to the appeal shall attend and give evidence but no fresh

evidence shall be permitted except by consent of the Executive Body, and provided that written notice of intention to tender such

fresh evidence stating full particulars shall have been served upon the Secretary of the Executive Body, and to the other party or

parties to the appeal, at least seven (7) days prior to the hearing.

47. The Executive Body may rescind, vary, modify, refer back for re-hearing or confirm the decision of the Federation.

48. The decision of the Executive Body upon appeal shall be final and binding.

49. These Rules shall be deemed to be a submission by all Members of the Union and by all Affiliated Societies thereof, of any

questions which may arise under the above-written Rules to the arbitration of the Union, such arbitral jurisdiction to be

exercised through the several tribunals or bodies hereby recognised or appointed in the matter herein before provided.

50. Any interested party may appear to be represented on any appeal under such last mentioned Rules. No Executive Body Member

and Federation Member shall without permission, speak or vote on any matter in which he may have a trade or business

interest.

51. No Executive Body Member shall sit or vote at the Executive Body on the hearing of any appeal against a decision of a Federation

whereof he is a Member, nor shall any Member of the Committee of a Federation sit or vote at the hearing of such Committee on

any matter affecting a Society to which he belongs.

Discipline

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