26Pinioning of birds’ wings

26 Pinioning of birds’ wings

26 Pinioning of birds’ wings

(1) For the Act, section 4(2A), clipping short the primary feathers of 1of a bird’s wings, or taping or brailing 1 of the bird’s wings, is prescribed if—

(a) it is carried out in way that does not inflict unnecessary pain on the bird, and

(b) it does not result in both of the bird’s wings being disabled.

(2) A person is exempt from the Act, sections 5(1), (2) and (3)(a) and 6 in relation to cutting off the pinion of a bird’s wing if—

(a) the bird’s owner holds an authority under the Exhibited Animals Protection Act 1986, Part 3, Division 4 that applies in relation to the bird, and

(b) the bird is a member of 1 of the following taxonomic orders—

(i) Anseriformes,

(ii) Ciconiiformes,

(iii) Gruiformes,

(iv) Galliformes, excluding pheasants, and

(c) the bird is under 3 days of age, and

(d) cutting off the pinion is carried out in a way that does not inflict unnecessary pain on the bird, and

(e) cutting off the pinion will not result in both of the bird’s wings being disabled, and

(f) the pinion is cut off by—

(i) a veterinary practitioner, or

(ii) the bird’s owner, or an employee of the bird’s owner, in a way that a veterinary practitioner has advised the owner is appropriate.

(3) A person is exempt from the Act, sections 5(1), (2) and (3)(a) and 6 in relation to cutting off the pinion of a pheasant’s wing if—

(a) the pheasant is no more than 24 hours old, and

(b) cutting off the pinion is carried out in a way that does not inflict unnecessary pain on the pheasant, and

(c) cutting off the pinion will not result in both of the pheasant’s wings being disabled, and

(d) the pinion is cut off—