Announcement from the KBDB – cancellation of Argenton 16/08/25 and replacement with 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 Animal Minister Ben Weyts, I would like to sincerely thank you for the decisions you have made to protect the pigeons from the worst effects of the heatwave.
It is far from easy to take such decisive measures: to cancel races and to adjust other races. Not long ago, animal welfare was merely an afterthought in our society. Until recently, it would not have been considered that animals, including pigeons, suffer from very high temperatures.
In a relatively short time – let’s say in the last 10 years – we have made significant progress. Insights about animal welfare have gained wide acceptance. The general public also has higher demands and expectations regarding animal welfare.
It is commendable that your organization has sensed this social shift and has evolved accordingly. This is not self-evident and certainly not easy, but it is noble and necessary. It is, for example, far from desirable to have pigeons fly from Argenton two weeks in a row under these conditions – with these temperatures. It was the right decision to adjust the schedule to the circumstances.
Your sport has a beautiful history and a bright future precisely because it can adapt to the times, respond to new conditions, and take into account new societal insights.
Sincerely
Michaël Devoldere
Spokesperson
Deputy Chief of Staff Ben Weyts
Vice-Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister of Budget and Finance, Flemish Brabant, Heritage, and Animal Welfare
National President,
Pascal Bodengien.
12-08-25 ANNOUNCEMENT – ALLOCATION BOURGES (Serruelles) 23.08.25
In response to the planned flight on August 23, 2025 , we would like to provide some clarification regarding the allocation of Bourges (Serruelles) as the release site.
The Animal Welfare Department has explicitly requested us to not organize two consecutive flights from Argenton for the young pigeons, considering the great distances (approximately 590 km) and the burden on our young pigeons. In this context, Bourges (Serruelles) was chosen as an alternative release site. Initially, there was consideration to move to Chateauroux, but this release site 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 into account the weather conditions, and timely take the necessary measures to ensure the welfare of the pigeons during transport and flights? In other words, the KBDB must ensure that necessary measures are taken during high temperatures.”
- “Animal Welfare relies on the KBDB for the assessment of race performances, especially in high temperatures.”
- “We expect that the KBDB will closely monitor the weather conditions and that additional measures will be taken in the case of extremely high temperatures, and if necessary, will decide to cancel races to ensure the welfare of the pigeons.
With this decision, we wish to take into account the guidelines of Animal Welfare Flanders.
The national president, The president of the NSC,
Pascal Bodengien. Denis Sapin.