Yesterday (Thursday, 15 May) I challenged the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) at its demonstration against gamebird breeding, outside the Senedd building.

Setting up barren cages, actors working on behalf of LACS were then padlocked inside for the duration of the stunt.

It is by no means unsurprising that this act of theatre was a completely fictional affair.  

Barren cages are not used in gamebird breeding, and ahead of the “show”, the Countryside Alliance briefed Members of the Senedd about this with a joint paper co-written with the Game Farmers Association (GFA). 

Perhaps it was down to these negative reviews from critics that the audience was so small and the stunt, a flop. Only a handful of Senedd members turned up. 

Rather than barren cages, it is raised laying units (RLUs) that are used in gamebird farming. These are fully compliant with the Animal Welfare Act and the Welsh government’s statutory code of practise for the welfare of gamebirds used for breeding. They ensure that birds have access to food, water and shelter, and offer further benefits such as access to perches and scratch pads. 

Furthermore, research from Defra has proven that properly managed RLUs are often the safest and healthiest way to house birds during the laying stage of game rearing. It was found that they offer better protection from disease, the elements, predators, and allow for better quality, healthier eggs. 

The theatrical, fictional performance put on by animal rights activists and actors was a blatant attempt to misguide Senedd Members, and must be dismissed as the sensationalist and deceptive stunt that it was. 

To dispel any false illusions of gamebird rearing that have been conjured up by animal rights activists, the Countryside Alliance have invited Senedd Members to meet a game farmer. We look forward to hosting those who want to attend and see a true picture of game farming in Wales.