CLA welcomes game rearing report

The CLA have welcomed the independent Farm and Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) report on the welfare of reared game birds.

CLA Deputy President William Worsley said: "The CLA has always argued that policy should be made on the basis of sound science, and we welcome the careful study made by the FAWC which contributes to this.

"We are heartened that the first truly independent study of game rearing gives clear support to the existing Game Farmers Association code of practice which is incorporated in the Code of Good Shooting Practice."

The CLA Deputy President added: "Animal welfare in reared game underpins sustainable shooting, which is an important country activity delivering wholesome local food and some 1.6 billion pounds to the rural economy.

"We will be asking Defra to take account of both the FAWC recommendations and the GFA code when it sets out its own statutory rearing code."