A breeding of 100,000 pheasants and partridges for hunting contested in court

cannon fodder – The administrative court of Poitiers considers that breeding game animals presents several environmental risks. He gives his managers one year to regularize their situation

He's not on target. A breeding of almost 100,000 pheasants and partridges intended for hunting in Deux-Sèvres benefited in February 2022 from an operating authorization which contains “several defects” and must be reviewed, according to the administrative court of Poitiers which raises in particular a risk of pollution. The body, contacted by the animal protection associations L214 and One Voice, gives the department prefecture twelve months to do this.

The poultry farm, located in the town of La Peyratte 45 km northeast of Niort, was then authorized to increase the number of its locations from 14,500 to 95,200, according to a court press release.

A risk of pollution

But he considers that the environmental impact study is “marred by inadequacies” concerning the management of the rendering of animals and the connection of solar panels to buildings.

The judges also note a risk of groundwater pollution, in the middle of a wetland, due to a lack of measures planned to prevent the accumulation of droppings under the bird breeding cages.

The court, however, rejected the accusations of non-compliance with animal welfare and excessive water consumption made by the applicants.

Read more on 20minutes

Also read:
Deux-Sèvres: L214 denounces the breeding conditions of pheasants and partridges intended for hunting
Animal mistreatment: The “cannon fodder” pheasant and partridge sector for hunting in the sights of an association