PLUCKING OF FEATHERS FROM LIVE BIRDS

That this House notes that Council of Europe recommendations adopted under the European Convention for the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes state that feathers, including down, shall not be plucked from live birds; further notes that plucking feathers from live birds can cause pain, bleeding follicles, skin tears and bruising; further notes that the process of catching, carrying and restraining birds for plucking causes fear and distress and may result in injuries, including dislocations and fractures and that some suffering from pain and injuries is unavoidable under current commercial conditions even if feathers are removed during moulting; supports the work of the Four Paws organisation in seeking a total ban on the deliberate removal of feathers from live birds; and calls on the Government to support such a ban in Europe.