Defra says 'rain is good for ducks'
TAXPAYERS have paid £300,000 to prove that rain is nice weather for ducks.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) funded the work by scientists to work out whether or not the birds liked light showers.
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Last night, critics branded the funding "quackers" and urged the Government to think more carefully about the use of public money. A three-year, £294,027 study was carried out to "ascertain the importance of bathing water to ducks by quantifying their motivation to gain access to water in which they can bathe".
It found that having offered a number of different water supplies to ducks – including a trough, pond, shower and nipple drinker – the birds favoured standing under a shower.
The research was aimed at ensuring ducks are properly treated when kept indoors on farms.
But there are no regulations planned which could require changes to the way farmers treat ducks.
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An on-farm study found ducks given showers spent more than twice as long standing under the water while "resting" than with water in a bath, trough or nipple drinker. It was also found that those in showers drank a third more water.
Anthony Rew, Devon chairman of the NFU, said last night that the use of taxpayers' money on the research "just proves that Defra is quackers".
"They need to get out of London and get on a farm to see how the countryside works, to put policies in place that are practical and well-costed," he said.
He condemned plans by Defra to tax farmers on the animals they owned in order to meet the cost of dealing with disease outbreaks. "They are looking for farmers to help with costs – if they asked a farmer, they would tell them ducks like water," said Mr Rew.
The research was carried out by Oxford University scientists Marian Dawkins and Tracey Jones. Professor Dawkins told Farmers Weekly: "Ducks made it very clear – they love to shower. They used the showers far more than any other source of water we provided.
"Now further research will have to be undertaken to study their behaviour more closely in terms of how often showering facilities are required. We have now acquired a commercial partner to look more fully at the impact of bathing resources on the birds' health and welfare."
Future research will look at how often ducks use showers. "Is it something they use regularly and individually throughout the day or something they use en-masse for short periods?"
She added that the outcome would be "very important as commercial producers look at ways of providing an effective and clean water resource to enhance duck welfare".
Liberal Democrat MP Dan Rogerson, a member of Efra, the Commons committee which scrutinises Defra's work, said: "Although this proves once and for all the saying that rain really is nice weather for ducks, I am sure Defra – having had shortfalls in their budget – could have found better uses for money."
The North Cornwall MP added: "While I wish Prof Dawkins ongoing success with her research, I hope she will find other backers in future."
Tory MP Geoffrey Cox (Torridge and West Devon), who also sits on the Efra committee, said: "In times of national difficulty, it is always necessary to have some comic relief, and it is no surprise that Defra has obliged."
Susie Squire, campaign manager for the Taxpayers' Alliance which argues for lower taxes, branded the research a "bonkers waste of money".
"Ducks were around long before Defra and it is common sense that ducks like rain and water," she said. "The last thing the Government should be allocating scarce resources to is this sort of nonsense. Defra should take a long look at its use of public money. It should be ashamed."
The research was launched by Defra to "assess the welfare of ducks housed in systems currently used in the UK". It said there was "little information" available on the welfare of ducks kept in intensive systems.
The British Poultry Council said the research was the "first step" in ensuring ducks had an effective source of water.
A Defra spokesman said: "Consumers rightly expect that animals reared for human consumption are kept in appropriate and healthy conditions.
"The purpose of this research was to help determine the most appropriate method of providing water and maintaining hygiene in the duck-rearing industry."
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by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Monday, May 25 2009, 6:48PM
“Well if you are going all the way to Bristol D*ck, you'd better take your bucket and spade, and a good sack. . And watch out for irate cyclists. . But you'll find plenty of squirrels and seagulls to keep your eye in. . If anyone stops you just say your Irish. . The council might even fix you up with a mobile toilet if you set up camp on College Green. . And there might even be a few yellow ducks in the floating harbour.”
by D. Turpin, Heading Bristol way,on horse
Monday, May 25 2009, 6:00PM
“Nice talk with you Mr. C Henry of Somersetshire. As you's may know Mr. C Henry. . . the spirit is willing,but the body is not. Onward to Bristol me black beauty!. I will never use the 4 wheeled coach again,that's for certain. Horse is best. I'll be shooting on all front's to Bristol,no doubt!. D.Turpin”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Monday, May 25 2009, 4:56PM
“I'm glad you found Bess tied up to a tree D*ck. . I'm sure they all respect your accuracy with those pistols too much to risk your wrath by stealing such a steed. . . . I see you have a taste for, shall we call it 'British Bush Meat' ! .They probably see that you have 'great potential' and hope you will be staying around for a while!”
by Dick Turpin, Back on horse
Monday, May 25 2009, 2:23PM
“Found me horse, tied to a tree. It seems word hav got out about me Mr. Henry. Can't say much, as no sooner I found her, I's went straight into the nearest pub for an ale or two's and to clean me pistol's. I quite like the taste of deer mind. Natural meat is better. I quite like the taste of squirrel. It's all them nuts they eat! D. Turpin”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Monday, May 25 2009, 10:07AM
“Hello again Harry; I've just been giving Turpin a few pointers. . I echo your disappointment with the way things have been going since they went decimal. . Nothing ever stays the same any more does it. . Thank God we've still got the Pound! . This IT is like bird poo used to be for Gibbs, I think you'll find. . It might pay you to drop that Bill Gates fellow a line and ask him down for a weekend. . They say he's got a few bob he needs to invest. . Mind you you'll have to break open some of your best Armagnac for him I expect. . The earliest I've got is 57 if your stuck. . I did have some 46, but needs must when the devil drives. . Had to pay my Council Tax. . I suppose now Margy's off for a few days you'll take the opportunity to have a few days up at St Andrews checking out the 19th. . Anyway I hope the gouts not playing up now it's getting warmer. . I'll catch you again. . Don't forget you really ought to take a drop of water with it now when you get onto the single malts. . But you won't I know. . Try some 28yr old Glen Ord. . Then let me know if it improves your swing. Best C”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Monday, May 25 2009, 9:12AM
“:( I think we've been having the wrong sort of rain for Yellow Ducks Richard(Dick). . I know it was a glorious weekend, but prior to that, when it did rain it was only raining cats and dogs! . I've been putting a good word in for you with Sir Henry, but you must promise me not to go exchanging any of his deer for black-powder with any of the local low-life or local butchers. . Sorry to hear about Bess. . You'll have to get a Blue Badge. . But make sure you stick it the right way up. . They're very picky some of them. Chas.”
by Dick Turpin, Out and about on bus
Sunday, May 24 2009, 10:27PM
“They clamped me horse in Honiton. I parked me horse. . . Black Bess at the side of the road under something called double yellow's. I went for a drink at the local pub,only to find me horse had gone. Good job me pistol's are still intact and with me. I had to get a four wheeled coach,called a bus. Had plenty of money on me as usual. Coach master on bus asked me if I had a free travel pass. He thought I looked like an OAP. Mind,I's have some grey hair's and some teeth missing,that gives me age away. Time to find me Black Bess,before it's too late. Still haven't seen a yellow duck!. D. Turpin”
by Sir Henry Pilkington Bonkton Planck, Devon
Sunday, May 24 2009, 8:36PM
“No problem, Charlie boy. I understand completed how life takes you by. I was musing with Margy only this morning, as we were breakfasting, how time seems to slip one a shifty one these days.
Seems only yesterday the estate supported the only shoot for miles around. Back then, there were proper Rogers on the scene and a good few birds to be bagged in a day. Now it's all these City cads with nothing better to do for a £3k a day gun, paid for by a nationalised bank by means of a so-called perk and off they go, without so much as a whatsername.
Used to get a better quality of punter in the 60s, I have to say. These days it's all bankers, for want of a better name, or IT consultants, whatever they are. And there's more of the fairer sex on the scene, I have to day, and I don't think it's necessarily good news - too much of a distraction if you ask me.
Most of them, male or female, I have to say, wouldn't know a good Claret from a bottle of Tizer.
Turn up in their Audis and BMWs, new Barbours and a fresh pair of Hunters and expect the rest of us, including Digby (remember my head gamekeeper?) to kowtow to their every need, and they think they own the place.
No, definitely not like the old days, Charlie Boy, and I do remember India very well back in '47. The old brain's still going strong.
Simmons, who apparently now works in the stables, says he has a tip for you, so do drop a line.
Margy's off to see her sister tomorrow, but sends her regards.
H”
by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Saturday, May 23 2009, 8:46PM
“Hello Harry; sorry I couldn't get back earlier. . Had rather a long lunch and it was so nice we ended up playing croquet on the back lawns. . . You seem to be having a few problems. . This is nearly as bad as when we got kicked out of India back in 47. . . Hopefully Margy will be able to call in a few favours for you if it drags on too long. . It'll be a great shame if you've got to start falling back on any of this New World stuff. . Mind you it's mighty potent some of it; particularly if it's old vine. . You need to make sure you have someone to share it with; and don't start too early. . Chas
By the way. I'm doing a few checks on Turpin. . He's down Bridgwater way at the moment. . I think he's ok, but I wouldn't want you blaming me if any of your deer go missing.”
by Dick Turpin, Riding to local pub
Saturday, May 23 2009, 7:58PM
“Henry Pilkington. That name sounds familiar to me. I's had a farrier called R. Pilkington from Devonshire. Are you related to him. He was a man of money as well. He did me a bad turn,and I's hanged him upside down from an Oak tree,with an apple in his mouth. You's never seen a grown man cry like a babes. Still waiting to see me first yellow duck. Goose was nice. I find duck gives me the winds too much. I fancy an ale again tonight. Who are these Defra. Are they a local gang of criminals. D. Turpin”