Controlling the pigeon population without culling, while also targeting those who feed them. This is the approach chosen by San Marino, under a decree ratified by majority vote in the Grand and General Council (Consiglio Grande e Generale) on the afternoon of Thursday, October 29. The measure allows for the introduction of ordinances and fines against the feeding of pigeons, in order to make the containment plan more effective.
Secretary of State Matteo Ciacci explained the reasoning behind the intervention, citing guidance from the Wildlife Observatory (Osservatorio della Fauna Selvatica) and problems recorded at Palazzo Giangi, where some offices had to be temporarily closed. The presence of pigeons and the resulting hygiene and health concerns brought the issue before the Council.
The strategy does not involve culling. Instead, containment will rely on the administration of anti-fertility substances, as explained by Aida Maria Adele Selva of the PDCS. For the treatment to work, however, it is essential to prevent the animals from finding other food sources distributed without oversight — hence the need to introduce bans and penalties.
Selva defended the necessity of the measure, pointing to the hygiene and health risks involved. The goal, she said, is to reduce the population by limiting reproduction, rather than resorting to killing the animals.
The main criticism came from Matteo Casali of RF, who questioned the instrument chosen to implement the measure. The councillor challenged the need for a decree to grant additional powers to the Territory Secretariat, also raising doubts about whether there was adequate regulatory authority to do so. “Simple interventions should be met with simple measures, not necessarily decrees,” he remarked.
Gian Matteo Zeppa of Rete acknowledged the problem but called for ongoing monitoring of the measures’ effectiveness. “I believe it’s important to check over time what results are being achieved,” he said, proposing regular updates to the relevant committees.
The decree was approved by majority vote. Individual ordinances will now be able to introduce bans and fines targeting those who feed pigeons.
