Measures to Deter Feeding of Pigeons

48 Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for National Development what further measures will the Ministry take to deter feeding of pigeons by the public.

Mr Lawrence Wong: The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) work together to take enforcement action against pigeon feeders. The agencies conduct surveillance at identified feeding hotspots. AVA has installed cameras at these hotspots to better monitor pigeon feeding activities. AVA has also worked with several Town Councils to put up notices to ask for information about feeding activities. This information helps AVA target their enforcement operations effectively. Members of the public who are caught feeding pigeons can be fined up to $500. For littering, offenders can be fined up to $2,000 upon their first conviction. They may also serve a Corrective Work Order.

Enforcement alone will not solve this problem. We need to raise public awareness that pigeon feeding dirties our living environment and potentially affects public health. AVA, NEA and Town Councils work together to educate residents through advisories, posters and events. The community and grassroots leaders can also help to spread this message.