Shooting UK is your complete shooting resource. From gun reviews to shotgun licence and firearms certificate information, to clay pigeon shooting, game shooting, shooting lessons and gundog training.
By Alastair Balmain
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
BASC praises DEFRA’s newly published gamebird code — other shooting groups call last-minute changes “unworkable”
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation was alone among shooting groups last week in welcoming the eventual publication of DEFRA’s new gamebird code. Other groups, including the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Game Farmers’ Association (GFA), heavily criticised the final version of the code laid before Parliament on Monday, 15 March. The GFA and others have called for the code to be withdrawn until concerns over its content are resolved.
In the code that appeared last week DEFRA has inserted extra clauses restricting catching-up and bitting as well as a new requirement to check birds at least twice a day — including in the release pen. None of these extra clauses was consulted on prior to the code’s publication.
Additionally, the code effectively bans the use of existing raised laying cages for pheasants and specifies arbitrary minimum space requirements for pheasants and partridges kept for egg production. If the code is not revised, it will come into force in England on 1 October.
Welcoming the publication of the code, especially the implementation of minimum space requirements for those using raised laying cages to produce partridge and pheasant eggs, BASC’s director of communications Christopher Graffius said: “The Government and particularly DEFRA ministers are to be congratulated on reaching a decision which ensures the future of game shooting and high standards of animal welfare.”
The rest of this article appears in 24th March issue of Shooting Times.
The prospect of a ban on the use of lead bullets i...
The Zabala Toro shotgun is a flamboyant looking example from this Span... Read more
A study has shown the impact on breeding bird species by wind-... Read more
Don't miss this week's issue (on sale Wednesday 16th May). FREE PRIZE DRAW: Win a Browning T-bolt.22 and Winchester ammo. Graham Downing gives his tips on where to find the best foreign sport! For all this and a whole lot more buy your copy today!
Save up to 31% on a subscription to Shooting Times & Country Magazine, subscribe today and perfect gift this Christmas.
Comments