NGO Fights Gamebird 'Tax'

22 June 2009

The National Gamekeepers' Organisation has joined forces with the Game Farmers' Association in a forthright rejection of the Government's plans for a new ‘tax' on all animal keepers in England.

The two organisations say that a proposed 4p levy on every gamebird kept, combined with an even more expensive compulsory insurance against exotic diseases, will cost the industry millions of pounds and drive chick production overseas. They believe it will be counter-productive in terms of managing disease.

A spokesman for the two organisations said, "These proposals are grossly unfair. A game hatchery, owning a chick for just 24 hours, would pay the same as a game rearer keeping a bird for several weeks. Shoots could then be paying a third time for the same bird during the period it was in their release pen. What is more, uniquely among the livestock industries, game rearing is currently liable for business rates, so we are already paying our whack."

The two organisations, whose members between rear them nearly all of the 42 million gamebirds released annually in the UK, said the proposals should be scrapped or completely re-worked. They argued that a proposed new body to run animal health in England would lead to complications with Scotland and Wales, which do not support Defra's plans.

The GFA and the NGO have made a formal written response to Defra condemning the proposals. It can be read in full by clicking here.