64/10 Ministers
today issued a new code for the welfare of birds produced as
quarry for shooting enthusiasts.
The new code will set out how keepers can best meet the welfare
needs of gamebirds, including recommendations on providing food
and water and the use of certain types of equipment, as well as
space allowances for housing breeding pheasants and partridges to
ensure the birds are not kept in overcrowded conditions.
Recommended minimum space allowances will be:
· pheasants - one square metre per bird
· grey partridges - 0.5 square metres per bird
· red leg partridges - 0.29 square metres per bird
Jim Fitzpatrick, Animal Health and Welfare Minister, said:
“The government promised to address concerns about the welfare of
gamebirds, and I believe that the new code strikes the right
balance between welfare needs and protecting businesses.”
There are about 7,500 registered farms and shoots rearing 50 or
more gamebirds a year in England. Large game farms using cages for
breeding birds can produce up to three million eggs a year.
Sport shooters will be encouraged to use only birds supplied and
raised by game farms and shoots observing the code.
The
Code of Practice for the Welfare of Gamebirds Reared for
Sporting Purposes
is due to come into effect on 1 October this year, and is
online at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/other/index.htm.
.
Notes for Editors
1. The Code is made under powers conferred by section 14 of the
Animal Welfare Act 2006 (the “2006 Act”), applies in England only
and has been issued under section 15 of that Act by the Secretary
of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
2. The Code explains how rearers of gamebirds can meet the
welfare needs of their animals, as required under section 9 of the
2006 Act.
3. The Code was drafted by a working group of representatives
from the gamebird industry, shooting interest and animal welfare
organisations, and was publicly consulted on.
4. Evidence of failure to follow the Code could be used in court
to support a case of poor welfare.
Contacts:
Defra Press Office
Phone: 020 7238 6600
NDS.DEFRA@coi.gsi.gov.uk
James Dubrey
Phone: 020 7238 6027
james.dubrey@defra.gsi.gov.uk