Pigeon racing not banned
JOBURG - Pigeon racing has not been banned, the Department of Environmental Affairs clarified.
This followed a statement by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) that the breeding, trading and racing of pigeons was now illegal.
The department listed feral pigeons as a Category 3 invasive species, in terms of the Alien and Invasive Species Regulations, 2014, in the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act.
“The feral pigeon is invasive and its inclusion on the list of invasive species is deemed appropriate by the department. The pigeon, which is commonly used in pigeon racing, is the same listed species,” the department said.
However, the NSPCA interpreted the prohibition’s inclusion of “releasing of any specimen of a listed invasive species” as effectively meaning that releasing pigeons to race or as homing pigeons was now illegal.
According to the department, it met specialists and reached an agreement that pigeon racing would not have a significant impact on the feral pigeon invasion.
“The numbers are reasonably low in relation to the existing invasions, that it is possible to provide exemption for the racing pigeon activities,” the department said.
The department’s engagement included talks with the NSPCA, which raised concerns about possible cruelty relating to pigeon racing.
In its statement, the NSPCA said it has various concerns regarding the sport of pigeon racing.
“These include… the rate of attrition during races. That is, the high number of pigeons who simply do not ever reach their race destination for various reasons including exhaustion; and racing taking place in inclement or extreme weather conditions,” the NSPCA said.
However, the department said: “The Regulations will not be enforced against pigeon racing and associated activities until the Regulations are amended, following engagements with the industry associations”.
