Replies to LegCo questions

LCQ2: Measures to reduce the nuisance caused by wild birds

Following is a question by the Hon Wong Yung-kan and a reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, in the Legislative Council today (February 18):

Question:

There have been complaints from members of the public about the environmental hygiene problem in the community caused by the droppings of wild birds such as crows and pigeons, and that they are often disturbed by the screech of crows. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether it has studied the current breeding situation of wild birds such as crows and pigeons in the territory, as well as the impact of these wild birds on environmental hygiene; and

(b) of the measures to reduce the nuisances caused by wild birds to the public?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) In 2003, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department conducted two surveys on the population and distribution of wild House Crows in Hong Kong. The results indicated that about 200 House Crows were found mainly in Sham Shui Po and Kowloon City areas. The environmental and hygiene problems caused by House Crows are mainly droppings and noise nuisances.

As regards the environmental hygiene nuisances caused by feral pigeons, the problem is mainly droppings and it is more significant in locations which are popular spots of feeding by members of the public.

(b) An effective way to deal with feral bird nuisances is to avoid feeding of these birds so as to avoid the birds congregating and creating nuisances. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has since October 2003 started to take stringent enforcement action against feral bird feeders, who litter public places, in accordance with the Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness Offences) Ordinance (Cap. 570). Officers in plain clothes are deployed to conduct blitz operations in areas where there are frequent complaints of bird feeding activities. FEHD has also requested other enforcement departments to take action against feral bird feeders found in their venues. From October 2003 to mid-February 2004, FEHD and other enforcement departments have issued a total of 51 fixed penalty notices to persons who littered public places while feeding feral birds.

Besides, FEHD has published pamphlets and posters and erected warning signs at conspicuous locations in popular bird feeding places to remind the public not to feed wild birds. FEHD has also intensified street cleansing operations in bird feeding blackspots to remove droppings and feed remnants.

The Housing Department has also taken a series of specific measures to reduce the nuisances caused by wild House Crows in public housing estates. These include trimming overgrown trees, washing the open spaces vulnerable to the stay of the wild birds on a frequent basis, as well as playing sound devices and deployment of security guards to frighten away the wild birds by pointing torch at trees or using other methods of illumination. The result of these measures was found to be quite effective.

Ends/Wednesday, February 18, 2004
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