Both I and the UK Government are committed to the highest standards of animal welfare, and here in Scotland the Scottish Government is the body responsible for it. I am glad to tell you that the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 already makes it clear that gamebirds must not be caused any unnecessary suffering.
The Act, which applies to all animals, makes it clear that keepers of gamebirds must take reasonable steps to ensure that their needs are met. It makes specific reference to their needs for a suitable environment and diet, housing with or apart from other animals as appropriate, to exhibit normal behaviour and protection from suffering, injury or disease.
Supplementing the legislation, in 2011 the Scottish Government published Gamebirds: Code of Practice for the Welfare of Gamebirds Reared for Sporting Purposes, which provides stock keepers with more practical advice on how they can ensure proper welfare standards are met. Similar codes of practice exist elsewhere in the UK.
These rules are enforced by the Animal and Plant Health Agency and local authorities, which carry out routine welfare inspections and investigate complaints; prosecutions can be brought where necessary.