The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO), which represents gamekeepers throughout Wales, is delighted that the London Government has heeded its warning that parts of the new code of practice for rearing pheasants and partridges in England would prove ‘disastrous’ for the welfare of gamebirds across the border.
The Westminster Parliament this week – 26 May – in an almost unprecedented step – withdrew the code for urgent re-drafting before it made it onto the statue book. The Welsh Assembly Government, following a public consultation, is currently drawing up its own gamebird code, which the NGO in Wales supports unequivocally provided it is based, unlike elements of the flawed English code, on sound scientific advice.
Chairman of the NGO’s North Wales group David Pooler, a headkeeper, based near Corwen said: “ The NGO has taken part in talks to discuss matters with Elin Jones, the Rural Affairs Minister, and we have also explained the importance of correct gamebird management to other AMs at the Welsh Assembly. We are confident that our AMs understand the Welsh countryside and that the same mistakes will not be made here as in England. Had the English code gone onto the statute book the irony was that overall the welfare of gamebirds would have declined and that would have been disastrous. For the good of game, let’s get it right in Wales first time round.”
Mr Pooler added: “The NGO is 100 percent behind a code of practice for the welfare of gamebirds in Wales. All we ask is that the code adheres rigorously to the best available science and it puts the health of our pheasants and partridges first, alongside practical management.”
Brian Hardcastle, who runs the NGO’s group in Mid and South Wales, and is a headkeeper near Llanwrtyd Wells, said: “I believe areas of the welfare code that the English Parliament are going to look at again such as housing and the inspection of birds for signs of disease are the very same parts of the legislation that we highlighted as being flawed and problematic. At a time when confidence in politics is low this is an excellent chance for AMs to draft well thought out legislation that has backing of country people. We look to Cardiff Bay for wise counsel.”
