Alliance Foils ‘Deceptive’ Stunt by LACS at Senedd

On 14 May, members of the Countryside Alliance challenged a staged protest by the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) outside the Welsh Senedd in Cardiff. The protest targeted gamebird breeding, with actors padlocked into so-called barren cages — a theatrical setup meant to criticise the industry.

However, barren cages are not used in gamebird rearing in the UK. Prior to the protest, the Countryside Alliance and the Game Farmers’ Association (GFA) issued a joint briefing to Members of the Senedd (MSs), exposing the misleading nature of the campaign.

“The theatrical, fictional performance put on by animal rights activists was a blatant attempt to misguide Senedd members,” said Rachel Evans, Director of Countryside Alliance Wales. “It must be dismissed as the sensationalist and deceptive stunt that it was.”

To counter the narrative presented by LACS, the Countryside Alliance is now inviting Senedd members to visit real game farms to witness ethical and regulated gamebird rearing practices firsthand.

“We look forward to hosting those who want to attend and see a true picture of game farming in Wales,” Evans added.

This incident underscores growing tensions between rural groups and anti-field sport activists, as misinformation becomes a central battleground in the public debate over gamebird management and conservation.