Derek Thomas MP,
Member of Parliament for St Ives“12th January 2018
Re. ‘Ban the breeding and importation of pheasants for shooting’ - Petition response:
I am writing in response to the petition titled ‘Ban the breeding and importation of pheasants for shooting’ which was directed at me as the Member of Parliament for West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (St Ives).
Thank you to Peter Fox Fox for drawing my attention to this important issue by starting this petition. I appreciate the concerns of those who have signed the petition. Both I and the Government are committed to the highest standards of animal welfare, so I am glad to tell you that the Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes it clear that gamebirds bred in the UK must not be caused any unnecessary suffering. When I have contacted the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) about domestic breeding on gamebirds in the past this was their response:
'The statutory Code of Practise for the Welfare of Gamebirds reared for Sporting Purposes provides keepers with guidance on how to meet the welfare needs of their gamebirds as required by the Animal Welfare Act 2006. We are considering how best to engage with industry to identify and disseminate best practise and ensure effective enforcement. Any future update of the gamebird code will consider further improvements. If anyone considers that the welfare of a gamebird has been compromised, whether by its housing or by any other means, they can report the matter to the local authority who have powers to investigate under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 or to the RSPCA who can also investigate such matters.'
A Code of Practice for the Welfare of Gamebirds Reared for Sporting Purposes was drawn up based on research carried out by the Farm Animal Welfare Council, advised by a working group that included animal welfare organisations such as the RSPCA. Stock-keepers who fail to follow it could be found to have committed an offence.
The Code specifies that these birds must:
1. have an environment appropriate to their species, age and the purpose for which they are being kept, including adequate heating, lighting, shelter, ventilation and resting areas;
2. have ready access to fresh water and an appropriate diet to maintain growth, health and vigour;
3. be provided with appropriate space and facilities to ensure the avoidance of stress and to allow the exhibition of normal behaviour patterns;
4. be provided with company of their own kind as appropriate for the species concerned; and
5. be adequately protected from pain, suffering, injury, or disease. Should any of these occur a rapid response is required, including diagnosis, remedial action and, where applicable, the correct use of medication.
The full Code of practise can be found at www.gov.uk by searching on the term ‘Gamebirds’.
These rules are enforced by the Animal and Plant Health Agency, which carries out routine welfare inspections and investigates complaints; prosecutions can be brought where necessary. I will write to Michael Gove MP to ask him if more resources need to be made available to support their work, so that good animal welfare can be assured.
It is important that if we are to import gamebirds for shooting, that we are not also importing poor animal welfare practices. I would like to thank those who have supported this petition for highlighting this issue to me further.
I gladly write to Defra asking what measures they are taking to ensure that imported gamebirds are not subject to poor animal welfare standards during their lives or on their journey to the UK and whether they will consider a ban if there are no steps being taken to improve animal welfare.
Yours sincerely,
Derek
Derek Thomas MP
For West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (St Ives)”
