Probe sheds light on cruel rearing of game bird

[Guest guest]

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2 & item_no=256376 & version\

=1 & template_id=38 & parent_id=20

 

 

Probe sheds light on cruel rearing of game birds

LONDON: Animal welfare rules are to be tightened after an official investigation

found evidence of mass cruelty in the raising of game birds shot by blood-

sports enthusiasts in Britain.

In the first official inquiry into the secret world of pheasant and partridge

farms, the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) found the birds were confined to

small mesh cages with plastic “bits†stuck in their mouths to stop them

cannibalising each other.

The FAWC expressed concern about the routine use of restraint and

anti-aggression devices, calling for a ban on “spectacles†that limit the

birds’ vision and research into “bumpa-bits†- mask-like contraptions that

cover much of their faces.

The body, which makes recommendations on farm standards, also called for a ban

on beak trimming.

The FAWC said, that unless conditions for the birds improved, the government

should introduce legislation to clean up the industry.

Hunting associations acknowledged the industry needed reform. The department for

environment, food and rural affairs said it would await a £340,000 research

project into bits and spectacles before a working party drew up a code of

conduct for game farming.

It commissioned FAWC to research the £1bn-a-year game industry after undercover

investigations by animal welfare campaigners raised concerns.

The research could dent the public image of game, which is being promoted as a

healthy and sustainable source of meat.

A minority of shot birds are sold to shops, although demand is rising and Marks

& Spencer launched a range of partridge and pheasant meals earlier this month.

At the moment, game birds are not classed as farm animals and so are not

inspected by the government’s animal welfare unit.

Unlike grouse, pheasants and partridges are intensively reared before being

released weeks before the hunting season opens.

Hunters shoot the birds when they are encouraged to fly overhead by beaters in

the winter; from September 1 for partridges and from October 1 for pheasants,

until February 1. They pay between £1,000 and £2,000 a day.

The birds can be kept in cages for up to three years, but others are released

within months of their birth and either eaten by predators such as foxes, run

over or shot.

After taking evidence from the animal groups, vets, gamekeepers and hunting

associations, the FAWC said all commercial systems used for raising partridges

and pheasants had the potential to be cruel to the animals.

“In terms of systems, FAWC is particularly concerned with the development of

raised cages for breeding pheasants and the long-term use of small raised cages

for partridges in pairs,†the report said. “Birds were kept in a barren

environment on wire floors, with minimal opportunity for seclusion. Design

appeared to be influenced more by cost and manufacturing requirements than the

bird’s welfare.â€

The Game Farmers’ Association said the report was the “first proper

independent look†at game rearing practice, adding: “We accept all 16

recommendations made in this opinion.â€

Andrew Tyler, director of Animal Aid, said: “Most people in this country are

revolted by the idea that ... millions of birds are factory farmed every year so

that they can serve as feathered targets for wealthy shooters. They would be

even more disgusted to learn that hundreds of thousands of breeding pheasants

and partridges are confined ... in oppressive metal battery cages.â€

The League Against Cruel Sports warned that continental farms that supply chicks

to UK game producers did not meet British standards. - The Independent

[Guest guest]



We are pleased that lots of the local raised pheasants come into our garden when they are let loose to be future targets. One year we even had thirteen chicks hatched and raised, although they dwindled to five to make it to adulthood.

 

Jo

 

 

-

fraggle

vegan chat ; vegan-network ; doomerism (AT) googl (DOT) com

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 4:31 PM

Probe sheds light on cruel rearing of game bird

 

 

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2 & item_no=256376 & version=1 & template_id=38 & parent_id=20Probe sheds light on cruel rearing of game birds LONDON: Animal welfare rules are to be tightened after an official investigation found evidence of mass cruelty in the raising of game birds shot by blood- sports enthusiasts in Britain.In the first official inquiry into the secret world of pheasant and partridge farms, the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) found the birds were confined to small mesh cages with plastic “bits†stuck in their mouths to stop them cannibalising each other.The FAWC expressed concern about the routine use of restraint and anti-aggression devices, calling for a ban on “spectacles†that limit the birds’ vision and research into “bumpa-bits†- mask-like contraptions that cover much of their faces.The body, which makes recommendations on farm standards, also called for a ban on beak trimming.The FAWC said, that unless conditions for the birds improved, the government should introduce legislation to clean up the industry.Hunting associations acknowledged the industry needed reform. The department for environment, food and rural affairs said it would await a £340,000 research project into bits and spectacles before a working party drew up a code of conduct for game farming.It commissioned FAWC to research the £1bn-a-year game industry after undercover investigations by animal welfare campaigners raised concerns.The research could dent the public image of game, which is being promoted as a healthy and sustainable source of meat.A minority of shot birds are sold to shops, although demand is rising and Marks & Spencer launched a range of partridge and pheasant meals earlier this month.At the moment, game birds are not classed as farm animals and so are not inspected by the government’s animal welfare unit.Unlike grouse, pheasants and partridges are intensively reared before being released weeks before the hunting season opens.Hunters shoot the birds when they are encouraged to fly overhead by beaters in the winter; from September 1 for partridges and from October 1 for pheasants, until February 1. They pay between £1,000 and £2,000 a day.The birds can be kept in cages for up to three years, but others are released within months of their birth and either eaten by predators such as foxes, run over or shot.After taking evidence from the animal groups, vets, gamekeepers and hunting associations, the FAWC said all commercial systems used for raising partridges and pheasants had the potential to be cruel to the animals.“In terms of systems, FAWC is particularly concerned with the development of raised cages for breeding pheasants and the long-term use of small raised cages for partridges in pairs,†the report said. “Birds were kept in a barren environment on wire floors, with minimal opportunity for seclusion. Design appeared to be influenced more by cost and manufacturing requirements than the bird’s welfare.â€The Game Farmers’ Association said the report was the “first proper independent look†at game rearing practice, adding: “We accept all 16 recommendations made in this opinion.†Andrew Tyler, director of Animal Aid, said: “Most people in this country are revolted by the idea that ... millions of birds are factory farmed every year so that they can serve as feathered targets for wealthy shooters. They would be even more disgusted to learn that hundreds of thousands of breeding pheasants and partridges are confined ... in oppressive metal battery cages.â€The League Against Cruel Sports warned that continental farms that supply chicks to UK game producers did not meet British standards. - The Independent