Animal Ethics Council urges ban on releasing farm-bred pheasants for hunting
The Animal Ethics Council, together with nature and animal-rights groups, is calling for a prohibition on the annual release of about one million farm-raised pheasants for hunting in Denmark.
Around one million pheasants are bred and released each year in Denmark for hunting, but a coalition of animal-ethics and conservation groups wants the practice outlawed. The Det Dyreetiske Råd, which advises the government on animal ethics, together with Danmarks Naturfredningsforening and Dyrenes Beskyttelse, says the purpose of breeding is solely to allow shooting, which they deem unacceptable. The Danish Hunters' Federation rejects the ban, arguing that pheasant hunting supports landowners financially, enhances biodiversity, and provides valuable nature experiences.
They also point out that pheasants are an invasive species originally from Asia. Academic research describes the activity as a “put-and-take” system, noting that over half of the released birds die from causes other than hunting in their first year because they lack the necessary survival abilities. The debate highlights tensions between wildlife management, hunting traditions, and animal-welfare concerns.
Why it matters
A ban could reshape Denmark's hunting practices, wildlife management and animal-welfare policy.
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