UK University To Ban Pheasant Shooting On Its Land

Reading University in Berkshire, England, is to ban pheasant shooting on its land following backlash from animal-rights campaigners. 

The university currently leases its land at Hall Farm for bird shooting – but has announced it will not renew the agreement when it ends in February 2020. 

Animal-rights charity League Against Cruel Sports protested against the decision to renew the agreement, as well as students and staff from the university. 

‘Appropriate use of university land’

A spokesman for the university said: “While there are many arguments for and against shooting, this decision was taken based on what is the most appropriate use of university land, based on our values and plans for the future.

“We are committed to maintaining close links with outside groups and the local community across all our operations, including on our farms.”

‘Ecological impact’

According to the BBC, Chris Luffingham, from LACS, said: “The ecological impact of the commercial shooting industry is huge, and we would urge all private landowners to follow the university’s good example and ban shooting for ‘sport’ on their land.

“Until this happens the League will continue to campaign to end commercial shooting in the UK.