Farmers Face Hefty Fines for Providing Food to Pigeons
In the heart of Russia, discussions about a potential ban on feeding animals near apartment buildings and social facilities are gaining traction in the State Duma. This bill, if passed, would prohibit feeding animals near schools, kindergartens, hospitals, stadiums, and other such facilities.
The concern surrounding this proposed legislation stems from the health risks associated with certain animals. For instance, more than half of the pigeons in the city are infected with ornithosis, a disease that clinically resembles pneumonia. Often referred to as "winged rats" due to their omnivorous nature and fearlessness, pigeons can carry dangerous diseases for humans, including intestinal infections, flu, tuberculosis, salmonellosis, ornithosis, and more.
The bill is currently under discussion in the Telegram channel of State Duma Deputy from the Omsk region, Oxana Fadina. Deputy Chairman of the Housing and Utilities Committee of the State Duma, Sergei Kolunov, has also noted the potential implementation of this bill.
If passed, the ban would not only apply to pigeons but could also extend to other birds. Blue jays, considered pests in agriculture, are not recommended to be fed near homes, hospitals, kindergartens, schools, and other similar facilities. De-ornithization measures are already taken on grain elevators due to the impact blue jays can have on crops.
In urban areas, pigeons often nest in high-rises, such as attics and ventilation windows. The fines for individuals who violate this potential ban could range from 2,000 to 3,000 rubles, for officials from 10,000 to 30,000 rubles, and for legal entities from 100,000 to 250,000 rubles. Repeated violations would result in increased fines.
It's important to note that the fines are imposed not for the act of feeding animals but for its consequences that may pose sanitary and epidemiological threats. The bill, if passed, would aim to protect public health and safety.
However, the bill is a controversial document, with opinions divided on its potential impact and effectiveness. For those who support the bill, the health risks associated with feeding animals near residential areas outweigh the benefits. For others, the bill may be seen as an overreach of governmental control or a misplaced priority in a society with more pressing concerns.
As the discussions continue, it's essential to stay informed about this developing issue. For those interested in the specifics of this bill, it may be necessary to consult specialized Russian legislative tracking resources or news outlets directly covering local municipal or State Duma proposals related to animal feeding restrictions.
The discussion on the bill proposing a ban on feeding animals near residential areas has escalated, with implications for the fields of science, health-and-wellness, and mental-health, due to the health risks associated with certain animals. For example, the majority of pigeons in the city are carriers of diseases such as ornithosis, a condition akin to pneumonia, and salmonellosis.
This bill, intended to safeguard public health and safety, could potentially extend beyond pigeons to other birds, like the blue jays, which are known to be pests in agriculture and impact both human health and environmental-science in certain contexts.
