Press Release
New byelaw prohibits pigeon feeding in Trafalgar Square
24-10-2003 445
Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, today announced that from Monday 17th November the feeding of pigeons by people, other than those authorised by the Mayor, will be prohibited.
The aim of the new byelaw confirmed today by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport is to help support and maintain the dramatic reduction in pigeon numbers achieved through a number of measures introduced since the Mayor became responsible for the management of Trafalgar Square.
The Mayor said:
‘The byelaw will, along with my other measures, counter years of over-feeding of pigeons.
`The humane reduction of pigeon numbers has meant a cleaner, healthier environment on Trafalgar Square. Cleaning costs and treatments have been reduced as guano levels are now fairly low. This is vital since Trafalgar Square is a major world landmark and since its redesign with greater pedestrian accessibility means that many thousands more visitors are now using the square every day of the year.
`Most importantly, the Square has been reclaimed as a pleasant and enjoyable place for Londoners and visitors alike. The introduction of a cafeteria on the square has given it a more pleasant environment, providing a focus for visitors to stay and enjoy themselves rather than leaving after taking their obligatory photographs. None of these improvements would have worked if the Square was still infested with thousands of pigeons.’
The new byelaw makes it illegal for any person to either feed any bird or to distribute any feeding stuffs for birds unless approved by the Mayor of London. It is part of an overall, ongoing strategy to reduce the number of pigeons in the Square.
Notes to editors
1. The new byelaw was ‘made’ by the Mayor on 20th November 2002 under section 385 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999. It amends existing byelaws which came into effect on 1st October 2000, the day on which the Mayor became responsible for both Trafalgar and Parliament Squares.
In accordance with the Local Government Act 1972 the Mayor advertised his intention to
seek confirmation of the byelaw in a local newspaper (Westminster and Pimlico News) and responses were sent to the Secretary of State for the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) - the confirming authority for byelaws relating to the squares.
The byelaw was formally submitted for confirmation by DCMS on 9th April 2003 along with supporting material for the need for such a byelaw. The Secretary of State (DCMS) agreed and confirmed the byelaw which will be advertised in the same local newspaper, on site at Trafalgar Square and copies sent to all London Boroughs.
2. Breach of this byelaw is a criminal offence punishable by a maximum fine of £50 in line with breaches of other byelaws. In considering whether to commence prosecution proceedings the Mayor must consider the public interest in doing so.
3. People are already discouraged from feeding the pigeons through a range of methods that include large signs situated around Trafalgar Square, information leaflets that ask visitors not to feed the birds and by being approached/asked not to feed the pigeons by the Trafalgar Square Heritage Wardens. Both the leaflet, and the signs are translated into 6 different languages. A hawk is flown throughout the day once feeding has ceased in order to scare away pigeons. The presence of the hawk sends a strong signal to visitors to the Square that feeding is no longer permitted, and is a popular, natural and humane method of reducing the presence of pigeons during the day.
4. Numbers of pigeons are down from approximately 4000 at lunchtime (before measures were introduced) to approximately 200 at present. This has been done primarily through the restriction of the availability of food. Scientific monitoring undertaken on a basis agreed in advance with supporters of the pigeons has confirmed that this has been achieved without cruelty to the birds.
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