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The shooting world should seize the opportunity to rid itself of battery cages used by about ten game-rearers in this country to produce pheasant eggs, according to the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation.

Pheasant cages typically provide around 0.3 square metres of floor space per bird

The Association highlights the social, environmental and economic values of responsible game shooting. BASC also emphasises the importance of skilled husbandry in all game rearing and gamekeeping, and the need to provide adequate space and living conditions for birds before they are released into the wild.

Defra has published a draft code of practice on game rearing for England, as part of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. A consultation on the code runs from today (24 November) until 18 January 2010. The Government intends to approve the code by April next year. After that, anyone involved in game-rearing risks conviction for an animal welfare offence under the 2006 Act if they do not comply.

Since 2005, BASC has stood out against the continued use of very small cages for producing pheasant eggs – which typically provide around 0.3 square metres of floor space per bird. BASC is arguing for traditional egg production standards for pheasant and partridge and will continue to promote them through this consultation.

Christopher Graffius, BASC director of communications, said: "The way to solve the problem is to set a minimum floor space per pheasant in line with traditional egg production methods. From traditional practice and experience the minimum space that laying pheasants need is at least one square metre per bird. Anything less than this and the birds’ welfare risks being compromised."

" It is important that everyone takes the opportunity to be rid of unacceptably confined cages. They tarnish the image of shooting and offer almost nothing in return. It is now time to demonstrate clearly that the shooting community will not tolerate this lowering of standards."

"The pursuit of cost-cutting over welfare by a minority must not be allowed to undermine game shooting and the overwhelming majority of rearers who use traditional pheasant laying pens. We will be making information available to our members using all means possible, and encouraging them to send responses to Defra’s consultation. We will address each issue raised and details will be found on our website. BASC supports traditional game farmers and rearers who practise high standards of welfare and stockmanship."

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