Petition · past parliament

Prohibit the release of pheasants into the countryside for shooting

Closed 86 signatures

What the petition asks

Every year approximately 35,000,000 pheasants are released into the countryside to be shot for sport. They are often intensively reared and little able to cope in the wild, with many killed by cars.This non-native species also causes massive damage to crops and gardens. This practice needs to stop.
Most pheasants in the UK have not reproduced in the wild but have been released. 25% of those bred in captivity die before the shooting season even begins. Many birds are wounded when shot and not killed outright. They are hugely destructive, causing damage costing thousands of pounds. On compassionate and environmental grounds, their release should be prohibited.
https://www.gwct.org.uk/research/species/birds/common-pheasant/
http://robyorke.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/gamebird-release.pdf

Timeline

3 Oct 2017 Petition opened for signatures
3 Apr 2018 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 86
Status Closed
Opened 3 Oct 2017
Closed 3 Apr 2018

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.