Gamebirds welfare code proposed for Scotland

19 January 2010

What’s it all about?

The Scottish government has launched a consultation on a draft Code of Practice on the Welfare of Gamebirds Reared for Sporting Purposes.  The consultation ends on 9 April 2010.  The code includes a request for views on the use of spectacles and bits and on three options for recommendations on the use of cages for pheasants and partridges. 

Click here to view the Scottish gamebirds welfare code consultation

Options on the use of cages

There are three options presented for Paragraph 6.11 in the draft code, on the housing of breeding pheasants and partridges;
(a) that cages can continue to be used;
(b) that barren cages are not used (allowing the use of enriched cages); or
(c) that all cages should not be used.

What is BASC’s position on the consultation?

BASC is currently reviewing the consultation, but BASC’s position on the use of battery cages for pheasants, and on the use of spectacles and bits, will be consistent with our position on a draft gamebirds welfare code for England.  We are also considering the recently announced consultation in on a gamebirds welfare code for Wales.

Click here to see BASC’s position on a draft gamebirds welfare code in England

Click here to see BASC's briefing on a proposed gamebirds welfare code in Wales

Full list of questions in the Scottish consultation

Here we provide the list of questions contained in the consultation. To read the context in which the questions are asked you need to read the full consultation document.

Q1. Do you agree that a code of practice is sufficient to ensure the welfare of gamebirds, or do you consider that game farms need to be regulated? If you believe that game farms should be regulated who, in your opinion, should regulate them?

Q2. Do you think that a code reflecting the gamebird rearing season is the most sensible approach?

Q3. Is it clear and easily understandable?

Q4. Do you think it would be preferable to set out the Code in the alternative
format with sections relating to each of the animal’s five needs?

Q5. Is it useful to have an Annex containing information on other legislation
affecting gamebirds?

Q6. Are there any additional recommendations that should be in the Code?

Q7. Do you consider that cages can provide adequately for the welfare needs of breeding pheasants? Or do you consider that barren cages should not be used for the housing of breeding pheasants? Or do you consider that all cages for breeding pheasants should not be used?

Q8. Do you consider that cages can provide adequately for the welfare needs of breeding partridges? Or do you consider that barren cages should not be used for the housing of breeding partridges? Or do you consider that all cages for breeding partridges should not be used?

Q9. Do you consider that having a standard definition for a cage is necessary
for a clear understanding by keepers if cages are to be restricted or banned? If
so would the EFSA definition be a suitable approach?

Q10. Do you consider that setting space allowance for breeding pheasants and
partridges would address the concern?

Q11. What would be the space allowance for an adult pheasant and what is the
evidence that this is appropriate?

Q12. What would be the space allowance for an adult partridge and what is the
evidence that this is appropriate?

Q13. Do you agree that spectacles should not be used? Or do you consider that spectacles have welfare benefits provided they are used appropriately?

Q14. Do you agree that the use of bits for younger pheasants should continue
when justified, monitored and fitted on an enterprise-by-enterprise basis as
described above?

Q15. Do you agree that bumpa bits should only be used in exceptional
circumstances?

Q16. What are the estimated costs of meeting the requirements in this Code?

Click here to view the Scottish gamebirds welfare code consultation

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