Welfare plans for meat chickens published
Plans to implement Europe’s first comprehensive welfare rules on chickens raised for meat were released for consultation by Farming Minister Jane Kennedy today.
The EU rules focus on the overall welfare of birds, as well as the individual factors that contribute to welfare, and include the monitoring of birds at slaughterhouses so that signs of poor welfare can be raised with both producers and agencies responsible for animal welfare and food safety.
Ms Kennedy said:
“These new EU rules are a welcome improvement on the limited conditions previously applied to the welfare of chickens raised for meat. From now on, we will be looking at what really matters, which is the overall welfare of the bird itself.
”For most English producers, the new requirements simply build on systems that are already in place and working well.”
The new EU rules are due to come into force in June 2010, and cover all chicken meat production holdings with more than 500 birds. They do not apply to holdings with only breeding stocks of meat chickens, hatcheries, extensive indoor, free range or organic chickens.
Further information
Consultation on new Regulations and code for Meat Chicken Welfare
Page last modified: 26 January 2009
Page published: 26 January 2009