Announcement from the KBDB – Cancellation of Argenton 16/08/25 and Replacement by Bourges 23/08/25
Please take note of the content of the email from the spokesperson of the Cabinet of Ben Weyts regarding the matter mentioned in the margin:
Dear Mr. Bodengien
On behalf of Flemish Minister of Animals Ben Weyts, I would like to sincerely thank you for the decisions you have made to protect the pigeons from the worst consequences of the heatwave.
It is anything but evident to take such decisive measures: to cancel races and to adjust other races. After all, it was not so long ago that animal welfare was a secondary concern in our society. Until recently, one would not have thought that animals, including pigeons, also suffer under very high temperatures.
We have made significant progress in a relatively short time – let’s say in the last 10 years. Insights regarding animal welfare have gained broad acceptance. The general public also sets higher demands and expectations regarding animal welfare.
It speaks well of your organization that you have sensed this societal shift and that you have evolved along with it. This is not a given and not easy, but it is noble and necessary. For instance, it is far from desirable to let pigeons fly from Argenton under these circumstances – with these temperatures – two weeks in a row. It was the right decision to adjust the planning to the circumstances.
Your sport has a beautiful history and a bright future, precisely because one can keep up with the times, respond to new circumstances, and take into account new societal insights.
Kind regards
Michaël Devoldere
Spokesperson
Deputy Chief of Staff Ben Weyts
Vice Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister of Budget and Finance, Flemish Region, Heritage, and Animal Welfare
The national president,
Pascal Bodengien.
12-08-25 ANNOUNCEMENT – ALLOCATION BOURGES (Serruelles) 23.08.25
In light of the planned flight on August 23, 2025 , we wish to provide some clarification regarding the allocation of Bourges (Serruelles) as the release point.
The Animal Welfare Department has explicitly requested us not to organize two consecutive flights from Argenton for the young pigeons, considering the long distances (approximately 590 km) and the burden on our young pigeons. In this context, we chose Bourges (Serruelles) as an alternative release point. Initially, there was consideration to divert to Chateauroux, but this release point is still suitable for provincial releases but no longer for national releases.
To further illustrate, we share some excerpts from previously received communications from Animal Welfare Flanders for 2025:
- “Can we trust that the KBDB will itself evaluate the progress of the races week after week, taking the weather conditions into account, and will timely take necessary measures to ensure the welfare of the pigeons at all times, both during transport and the races? In other words, the KBDB must ensure to take necessary measures at high temperatures.”
- “Animal Welfare relies on the KBDB for the assessment of the competitive flights, especially in high temperatures.”
- “We expect the KBDB to closely monitor the weather conditions and that additional measures will be taken at extremely high temperatures and, if necessary, will decide to cancel the races to ensure the welfare of the pigeons.
With this decision, we wish to consider the guidelines of Animal Welfare Flanders.
The national president, The chair of the NSC,
Pascal Bodengien. Denis Sapin.