Press Releases
Application for animal/bird exhibition licence for keeping racing pigeons
The objective of the Government to grant animal/bird exhibition licence to those
who keep racing pigeons was to regulate local pigeon racing activities under the
existing legislative framework and to ensure the keeping and exhibition of
pigeons were brought under proper biosecurity conditions, a spokesman for the
Health, Welfare and Food Bureau said today (August 11).
Before the enactment of the new legislation, the original fee was set at $10,720
per annum, regardless of the total number of animals and birds. Following
careful consideration, the Government introduced legislative amendments to the
effect that the licence fee for a person to keep the total number of animals and
birds not exceeding 20 be set at $2,720 and at $9,700 if the total number of
animals and birds exceeded 20.
The spokesman explained: "The traditional exhibition licence was used to
regulate large-scale activities such as circuses or dog performances, etc, in
the past. The resources involved in regulating the keeping and exhibition of
racing pigeons are different. Hence, there is a need to set different fee levels
for different exhibition activities.
"The fee level of the animal/bird exhibition licence is in line with other
charges by the Government, with reference to the full cost recovery principle
and is also a reflection of the enforcement action."
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has received 186
exhibition licence applications for keeping racing pigeons. So far, the AFCD has
processed 19 applications and granted licences to racing pigeon owners who could
meet the requirements.
In the past, the H5N1 virus has been found in migratory birds and local resident
birds. Although no pigeon has been found to be infected with H5N1 locally since
2002, precautions had to be taken to safeguard public health.
Before and after issuing the exhibition licence, the AFCD would inspect the
environment and facilities for keeping racing pigeons to ensure they did not
violate other law/regulations, including building regulations and Deed of Mutual
Covenant of the relevant premises, etc. The AFCD would also conduct regular site
visits and surprise inspections, take environmental swab samples and conduct
veterinary inspections.
The spokesman said quite a number of people kept racing pigeons as a commercial
or recreational activity, therefore it was reasonable to set the fee level with
reference to the full cost recovery principle and not to subsidise such activity
with public resources.
Ends/Friday, August 11, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:06
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