NGO Welcomes Game Code Withdrawal

27 May 2010

The National Gamekeepers' Organisation (NGO) has welcomed a Government decision to withdraw the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Gamebirds Reared for Sporting Purposes (England) from Parliament for re-consideration. The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Jim Paice MP, said yesterday that the code would be withdrawn so that problematic sections could be re-worked in the light of best-available evidence.

Late changes made to the code by the outgoing Labour Government just before the election had turned an otherwise good code into an unworkable mess, which would have caused real difficulties for many gamekeepers whilst doing nothing to help the welfare of their birds.

Lindsay Waddell, the NGO Chairman, said:

"Immediately after the election we urged the new Government to withdraw Labour's flawed code so the mistakes could be put right. I am delighted this has been done and particularly pleased that the NGO has been invited to a meeting with other interests to help the new Government to re-draft the problematic sections of the code.

"A sensible code, once approved by Parliament, will add greatly to the political stability of game rearing by recognising it officially for the first time and setting out a good welfare standard for all to follow. The NGO looks forward to playing its part in that process."