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LONDON RATIFIES CHANGE IN TERMS FOR EVICTION OF TRAFALGAR'S PIGEONS!

1K views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  critterlover2 
#1 ·
Today's email from Marjorie & Austin down in Kentucky contained an attachment--an upgraded reply from London Mayor, Ken Livingstone's office.

The news is good! Instead of thirty days, the phased reduction in the pigeon feed supply will occur over "nearly three months".

"The pigeon feed seller who traded on the square...is now selling pigeon feed in Hyde Park, which is only one mile away as the pigeon flies."

Marjorie, a native of England, tells me that Hyde Park is largely grassy areas. Since pigeon guano is high in nitrogen, the fertilization to the grass may prove to be a bonus!

Anyway, gone are the "rats with wings" and exaggerated disease propaganda.

See, people can make a difference--people have to!

Felicitations to all of you who wrote to the mayor, and a sincere thank you to the city of London and Mayor Ken Livingstone's office, for reconsidering the facts and doing the right thing!

The response Marjorie received appears below.

************

-----Original Message-----
From: Mayor <mayor@london.gov.uk>
To: amarshall@iclub.org Date: Monday, March Date: Monday, March 05, 2001 7:45 AM
Subject: RE : Trafalgar Square


>Ref: MGLA140201-0761
>
>Dear Austin & Majorie
>
>Thank you for your letter to Ken Livingstone about the pigeons in
>Trafalgar Square. I have
>been asked to reply.
>
>We have noted your concern, but the Mayor's decision not to issue a
>licence for the sale
>of pigeon food on Trafalgar Square, which is part of a wider plan for
>the square's future,
>has been carefully considered. The Mayor's decision was reviewed by the
>Deputy Mayor in
>light of advice from a specialist consultant, officers, many
>representatives from animal
>welfare groups and legal advice. In order to ensure that no possible
>distress should be
>caused to the pigeons, while aiming to ensure a reduction in their
>number on the square, a
>phased reduction in the supply of feed has been implemented by the GLA.
>The pigeon feed
>seller who traded on the square has agreed no longer to sell there and
>in a statement to
>the press indicated that he hopes there will be no interference with the
>feeding and
>monitoring programme being introduced by the GLA. He is now selling
>pigeon feed in Hyde
>Park, which is only one mile away
>as the pigeon flies.
>
>There is no question of animal cruelty in ending the sale of pigeon feed
>on the square.
>Not only were acknowledged experts consulted, but the most conservative
>approach was taken
>in order to ensure a phased and humane reduction. The external advisor,
>Dr Allan, is an
>acknowledged expert in bird ecology, as is the authority's Biodiversity
>Manager. Both were
>of the view that removing the sale of feed could occur immediately
>without cruelty. In
>reviewing the position, Dr Allan considered papers and documents from
>the public, and from
>animal welfare and pigeon groups. His report can be seen on the Mayor's
>website at
>www.london.gov.uk.
>
>To ensure that there is no suffering to pigeons a phased withdrawal of
>food over nearly
>three months has been implemented. The feeding programme is based on
>visual evidence of
>the number of birds in the square and the number of food sales in a
>comparable period. The
>figures have been validated by reference to information obtained from
>the Department for
>Culture, Media and Sport, which indicate the level of past feed sales.
>To be ultra
>cautious all figures were rounded up generously. Biodiversty experts
>from the GLA will
>continue to monitor the pigeon flock in the square and publish the
>results of their work.
>
>The impact of the GLA's decision on the birds has been therefore
>carefully considered and
>the decision itself was taken humanely, after consulting with experts
>and it errs on the
>side of caution.
>
>Yours sincerely
>
>Amy Richardson
>Public Liaison Officer

************

Might I suggest that it would be in good form
to acknowledge the Mayor's office with congratulations and appreciation for their
willingness to reconsider the facts and ammend their resolution. American cities should do so well...

PIGEONS FOREVER!!!

--Ray
 
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