Debated in Parliament on 17 Aug 2015.
Ms Lee Li Lian asked the Minister for National Development what is the time-frame required to evaluate the effectiveness of the bird-deterrent gel used recently by the Choa Chu Kang Town Council to tackle pigeon issues and whether this gel will be made available to other Town Councils.
In February 2015, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) worked with the Choa Chu Kang Town Council on a bird-deterrent gel trial to test the effectiveness of the gel in deterring roosting. The preliminary results were promising with a reduction in roosting and fewer cases of bird nuisance.
AVA is monitoring the long-term effectiveness of the gel, especially over the migratory bird season which is generally from August to April. AVA will be better able to assess whether the gel continues to deter the birds from roosting after the end of the current migratory season in April 2016.
If the gel is effective, AVA will work with Town Councils that are keen to use the gel as part of their long-term management of bird-related nuisance. Interested Town Councils would have to pay for the installation of the gel and ensure its maintenance and upkeep.
PAPERCUTS