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From Thursday (October 2), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will take strict enforcement action against people who dirty public areas while feeding feral birds.

A spokesman for the department said improper feeding of feral birds, including pigeons, in public areas had become an environmental nuisance.

"There is growing public concern over the hygienic problems caused by the flocking of feral birds attracted by bird feed," the spokesman said.

Last year the department received a total of 63 complaints against feral pigeon nuisance, compared with 154 during the first nine and a half months this year. Verbal warnings doubled from 56 in 2002 to more than 100 during the first three quarters of this year.

"To improve environmental hygiene, it is necessary to step up enforcement action against persons for improper feeding of feral birds," the spokesman stressed.

"This is an offence punishable by a fixed penalty fine of $1,500. To raise public awareness, we are visiting some of the blackspots to broadcast messages appealing to people not to dirty public areas by feeding the wild birds.

"Warning notices are also displayed at conspicuous places in popular bird feeding places.

"In the past few weeks, our enforcement officers have been explaining to bird feeders how their actions may dirty the environment. Leaflets against improper bird feeding are being distributed through various channels.

"The droppings of feral pigeons may help spread harmful germs. The safest and most effective, economical and humane way to minimise congregation of pigeons is to avoid feeding the birds.

"Through these efforts, we hope that the public will come to understand the importance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment and refrain from feeding birds in public places," the spokesman said.

End/Saturday, September 27, 2003

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