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Venice plans ban on rice-throwing custom

MILAN: Venice officials want to take one ingredient out of a romantic Venetian wedding: rice, used to celebrate it.

Traditionally thrown to wish newlyweds prosperity and fertility, the grain has the unwanted side-effect of nourishing the city’s pigeons. Mayor Massimo Cacciari is considering the ban as part of efforts to reduce the pigeon population.

The birds are damaging monuments, officials said on Monday. They estimate there are about 40,000 pigeons in the 6.4 sq km that make up Venice’s historic centre. Efforts to control the population by introducing contraceptives into the food chain have had little effect.

Officials also want to ban the sale of pigeon feed at the landmark St. Mark’s Square, but have run up against resistance from the city-licensed sellers. — AP

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Venice plans ban on rice-throwing custom

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