The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department has received 186 exhibition licence applications for keeping racing pigeons.

So far, it has processed 19 applications and granted licences to those who meet the requirements.

The Health, Welfare & Food Bureau today said the licence fee level is in line with other charges by the Government, with reference to the full cost recovery principle and is also a reflection of the enforcement actions.

Noting the traditional exhibition licence was used to regulate large-scale activities, the bureau said it needs to set different fee levels for different exhibition activities because the resources involved are different.

Following careful consideration, the Government introduced legislative amendment to the effect that the licence fee for a person to keep the total number of animals and birds not exceeding 20 be set at $2,720 and at $9,700 if the total number of animals and birds exceeding 20.

The bureau said quite a number of people keep racing pigeons as a commercial or recreational activity, therefore it is reasonable to set the fee level with reference to the full cost recovery principle and not to subsidise such activity with public resources.