Defra's Gamebird Code: First Impact Assessment
24 March 2010
Late changes to Defra’s new Game Rearing Code could end 43% of all partridge egg production in England, according to a new report published today by the Game Farmers’ Association.
The report, ‘Costing the Code’, (click here) assesses the practical, financial and welfare impacts of changes made to Defra’s Code of Practice for the Welfare of Gamebirds Reared for Sporting Purposes, just before it was laid in Parliament last week. The code is scheduled to apply throughout England from 1 October this year.
The GFA’s assessment shows that under Defra’s code:
- 43% of partridge egg production and 6% of pheasant egg production in England will be impacted by the code.
- The total one-off cost relating to lost equipment associated with laying systems too small to comply with the code, and its replacement, will be £6.6 million.
- The recurring annual loss of turnover arising from the restriction on laying systems will be £1.6 million
- The total annual cost arising from other new requirements inserted into the code will be £5.7 million.
Only direct costs to game rearers have been included in the GFA’s analysis. Knock-on and knock-back effects further up and down the supply chain are expected to multiply the costs significantly.
The GFA is emphasising that its report is provisional and is inviting all interested parties to comment so that a final impact assessment of the new changes can be made.
Jonathan Crow, the Association’s Chairman, said:
“The report shows the shooting industry facing massive problems next year with no welfare benefit, all arising from late changes made to the code without consultation.
“Whereas the draft code seen by the public was based on existing good practice and so would have had little impact, the final version laid before Parliament effectively bans not only raised laying systems but also affects many other aspects of game rearing. Further unnecessary costs will be imposed by involving vets in routine procedures and increasing the frequency of checking birds.
“You cannot impose new requirements like these on an industry without significant impacts. For the Government to have done so without even consulting or costing the changes themselves is a complete disgrace. An otherwise good code has been made completely unworkable by the late changes. It must be withdrawn from Parliament now and sorted out.”
ENDS
Date Added: March 24th 2010