This is great – there is finally going to be a ban on feeding the pigeons polluting St.
Mark’s square in Venice.
Wonderful news, in my opinion, having been to the city and realising that there is enough pollution around without encouraging the cooing and pooing of our feathered friends.
In Italy though, a controversy has broken out over feeding the pigeons.
The Italians though, should maybe take a look at Trafalgar Square in London – I was there last year in August and enjoyed a sunny day vegging out by the fountain.
Never a pleasanter place as without the birds.
But not in Italy.
Apparently corn-sellers are up in arms and the local council, who has been deliberating for months over whether to place the ban or not, is now under siege from groups such as the traders’ association protecting the rights to compensation of the corn-sellers.
The city of Venice apparently has 20,000 birds per square kilometre and St.
Mark’s square was the only area exempt from pigeon-feeding based on the tourist attraction provided by the spectacle of feeding the birds.
The ban is set to be enforced from May 1 but the mayor, Massimo Cacciari, is beset by the controversy.
Originally the plan was to convert corn-selling licences into souvenir licences, but now, at the request of the Communist Party, it is likely some kind of compensation will be considered.