A new code calling for minimum amounts of space for gamebirds bred in cages for shooting was launched today by ministers to improve their welfare.

The code also lays out recommendations on providing food and water, breeding practices and the use of types of equipment in producing the birds.

The recommendations were welcomed by some in the industry who had been concerned moves by the Government could spell the end of game shooting, but others criticised what they claimed were "unworkable" last-minute changes to the code.

There are around 7,500 registered farms and shoots raising more than 50 birds a year in England, with some of the largest farms using cages for breeding birds producing up to three million eggs a year.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said evidence of failure to follow the code could be used in court to support a case of poor animal welfare. The department called on sport shooters to use only birds from game farms and shoots which have followed the regulations.

The code says pheasants should be allowed one square metre per bird in their cages, while grey partridges should be allowed 0.5 square metres and red leg partridges 0.29 square metres.

Jim Fitzpatrick, Animal Health and Welfare Minister, said: "The Government promised to address concerns about the welfare of gamebirds, and I believe that the new code strikes the right balance between welfare needs and protecting businesses."

The code was welcomed by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (Basc), which said most farms and shoots already complied with the size recommendations.

BASC director of communications, Christopher Graffius, said: "The Government and particularly Defra ministers are to be congratulated on reaching a decision which ensures the future of game shooting and high standards of animal welfare."

However the Countryside Alliance condemned the changes, branding Defra’s new code of practice for game rearing ‘illogical, inconsistent and ignorant’ and has warned it poses a serious threat to game farming and shooting in the UK.

Alliance Campaigns Director Rob Gray said: “The Government has produced a code that flies in the face of the evidence and the opinion of its own animal welfare advisors; the Farm Animal Welfare Council. Earlier drafts of the code had received support from nearly everyone in the shooting industry, but the version placed before Parliament is illogical, inconsistent and ignorant."

“Production will be exported to non-UK producers using systems with far lower welfare standards than those which would have been enforced in England under a sensible code of practice. The Minister responsible, Jim Fitzpatrick, has left a raft of problems on the desk of his successor.”