EUROPEAN rules which could have seen every shoot or hunting party employ a vet to inspect birds after they had been shot have been altered at the eleventh hour.

Legislation governing the hunting of wild game had been put forward following a report compiled by the European Parliament.

But Yorkshire and Humber MEP Robert Goodwill secured last-minute changes after branding the proposals too bureaucratic.

Mr Goodwill said: "This report shows that Brussels has lost none of its enthusiasm for regulating every aspect of people's working and leisure practices.

"Plans to insist all shoots had qualified vets and health inspectors to examine birds before consumption would drive many out of business at a time when the countryside needs every income stream available."

Mr Goodwill, who is Conservative environment spokesman in Europe, negotiated exemptions which will allow hunters to continue shooting wild game and supplying them in small quantities direct to local butchers, markets and restaurants.

Farmer Stephen Prest, who lives at Slingsby, near Malton, said he could not see the point of the requirement for vets or health inspectors on small-scale shoots.

He said: "It's bringing in regulation for the sake of it.

"The idea of vet inspections seems a bit over the top for our level of shooting, which is only on a small, local level.

"Shooting of game has been going on for centuries, and there has never been any problem before."

Mr Prest said experienced gamekeepers and farmers could easily tell if a bird was diseased and not fit for human consumption.

Another farmer said he was glad the MEP had secured changes before another "ridiculous" law was implemented by the EU.

He said: "I would have thought it was obvious that a pheasant dropping out of the sky had died of gunshot wounds.

"This would have been ridiculous."

The legislation will now be discussed between the European Parliament and the European Council.

Updated: 12:01 Wednesday, May 22, 2002