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| Reading University urged to stop pheasant shooting on grounds | Reading University urged to stop pheasant shooting on grounds |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| An animal welfare charity has called on the University of Reading to end pheasant shooting on its grounds. | An animal welfare charity has called on the University of Reading to end pheasant shooting on its grounds. |
| The university leases its land at Hall Farm in Aborfield, Berkshire, for game bird shooting. | The university leases its land at Hall Farm in Aborfield, Berkshire, for game bird shooting. |
| The League Against Cruel Sports (Lacs) said students would be "shocked to hear this is happening at their university". | The League Against Cruel Sports (Lacs) said students would be "shocked to hear this is happening at their university". |
| A university spokesman said it welcomed discussion on the issue and it was currently reviewing its agreement, which is due to expire in February. | A university spokesman said it welcomed discussion on the issue and it was currently reviewing its agreement, which is due to expire in February. |
| Lacs said it had written to the university calling for it to end the practice when when the game bird shooting lease expired. | Lacs said it had written to the university calling for it to end the practice when when the game bird shooting lease expired. |
| Nick Weston, head of campaigns for the charity, said: "Large numbers of factory-farmed pheasants have been released on the University of Reading's land purely to be shot for 'sport' when the shooting season opens in a fortnight. | Nick Weston, head of campaigns for the charity, said: "Large numbers of factory-farmed pheasants have been released on the University of Reading's land purely to be shot for 'sport' when the shooting season opens in a fortnight. |
| "Students and alumni will be shocked to hear this is happening at their university and no doubt consternation will grow if the university doesn't act quickly to end it." | "Students and alumni will be shocked to hear this is happening at their university and no doubt consternation will grow if the university doesn't act quickly to end it." |
| Reading University Bird Society member and student Marcia Webberley said: "In general shooting is not an issue and is important for conservation, but the problem is the rearing of game birds to be released as a lot get away and the countryside population increases. | |
| "Also they don't give them a fair chance because they're lured back to the shooting area with food, so their only purpose in life is to be shot." | "Also they don't give them a fair chance because they're lured back to the shooting area with food, so their only purpose in life is to be shot." |
| The league pointed to a YouGov poll last year that found 69% of people in Great Britain wanted game bird shooting made illegal. | The league pointed to a YouGov poll last year that found 69% of people in Great Britain wanted game bird shooting made illegal. |
| The charity claimed during shoots birds fell to the ground suffering painful injuries, and native predators were killed to ensure game birds survive. | The charity claimed during shoots birds fell to the ground suffering painful injuries, and native predators were killed to ensure game birds survive. |
| Hall Farm is used for teaching and research in animals. | Hall Farm is used for teaching and research in animals. |
| The University of Reading said the game bird shooting on its land was on a small scale and Lacs's comments were not an accurate reflection. | The University of Reading said the game bird shooting on its land was on a small scale and Lacs's comments were not an accurate reflection. |
| A spokesman said: "We allow some shooting to take place on our farms, as part of the day-to-day management and use of our agricultural land. | A spokesman said: "We allow some shooting to take place on our farms, as part of the day-to-day management and use of our agricultural land. |
| "We have an agreement with an external group, which keeps birds in some of our woodland and organises shoots. We are currently reviewing this agreement, which expires in February." | "We have an agreement with an external group, which keeps birds in some of our woodland and organises shoots. We are currently reviewing this agreement, which expires in February." |
| Earlier this year the University of Wales stopped pheasant shooting at its farm in Powys. | Earlier this year the University of Wales stopped pheasant shooting at its farm in Powys. |