DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (News Release ref
:359/08) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 13 November 2008
The Farm Animal
Welfare Council (FAWC) today publishes it Opinion on the Welfare
of Farmed Gamebirds on its website.
Approximately 40 million gamebirds (30 to 35 million pheasants
and 5 to 10 million partridges) are reared and released each year
in Great Britain. Gamebirds have traditionally been bred and
reared using simple systems of husbandry, though increasingly more
intensive methods are used.
Professor Christopher Wathes, Chairman of FAWC, said
"This Opinion aims to advise Government, including the
devolved administrations, about contemporary welfare issues facing
farmed gamebirds.
"Welfare issues identified during our study of the breeding
and rearing processes include:
* The extent and duration of confinement of semi-wild species,
sometimes within systems offering a barren, restricting environment;
* Routine use of management devices, e.g. bits, spectacles and
brailles; and
* Management and stockmanship issues, including record keeping,
training, Flock Health and Welfare Planning and development of
best practice."
"Recommendations are made to Government and others that are
intended to improve the welfare of farmed gamebirds. These include:
* Adoption of Flock Health and Welfare Plans, prepared in
conjunction with a veterinary surgeon;
* An end to the use of spectacles, and closer control of other
management devices;
* Phasing out of barren cages for pheasants, alongside research
into acceptable accommodation;
* Phasing out of barren cages for partridges, particularly for
extended periods, alongside research into acceptable
accommodation; and
* More research into the adaptive and support needs of birds when released."
"Government is working with industry and others on a Code of
Practice for the breeding and rearing of gamebirds and we hope
that our conclusions will add to that process."
Notes for Editors
1. The full report can be found at http://www.fawc.org.uk
2. The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) is an independent
advisory body established by Government in 1979 to keep under
review the welfare of farmed animals on agricultural land, at
market, in transit and at place of slaughter; and to advise
Ministers in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs and the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales, of
any legislative or other changes that may be necessary.
3. Professor Christopher Wathes was appointed Chairman of FAWC in
January 2005. He holds the Chair of Animal Welfare at the Royal
Veterinary College, University of London.
4. All FAWC members serve in a personal capacity and do not
represent any organisation with which they may be associated.
5. Opinions represent a new form of advice reflecting changes
within the structure of the Council and in how it presents its
advice to Government on farm animal welfare issues. An Opinion is
a brief report outlining the major causes of concern for animal
welfare and making recommendations for improvement within a
restricted scope. The aim is to be responsive to specific issues
in a shorter timescale than that needed for the traditional FAWC report.
6. Copies of FAWC Opinions are available from the FAWC Website at
the address below. Media approaches should be routed through the Secretariat.
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
Press notices are available on
our website
http://www.defra.gov.uk
FAWC, Area 5a, 9 Millbank, c/o Nobel House
17 Smith Square,
London, SW1P 3JR
Chairman: Professor Christopher Wathes, BSc, PhD
FAWC
website: http://www.fawc.org.uk