Thank you for contacting me about the changes in regulation on how to carry a chicken.
I am proud of the strong record of the previous Government in improving animal welfare standards. Since leaving the EU, the last Government put in place strong controls on imports and used Brexit freedoms to strengthen animal welfare standards even further by banning the export of live animals for slaughter. His Majesty's Official Opposition continue to build on this strong record through our initiation and drafting of and support of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill and the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) which will help tackle puppy smuggling.
In contrast despite their many promises to improve animal welfare the current Government has failed to take any meaningful action to date and has instead chosen to prioritise changing the regulations on how to carry a chicken which some argue will weaken protections. It is estimated that more than 1.1 billion chicken and turkeys are handled in the UK every year and it is important high bird welfare standards should be met throughout their transportation.
The Government is seeking to remove a discrepancy between statutory guidance in Great Britain, which considers catching chickens by both of their legs acceptable, and EU Regulation 1/2005 which prohibits this practice. This follows the Government’s Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) looking into the matter and recommending that chickens may be carried by two legs for a five-year transition period to enable different catching methods and welfare outcomes to be researched and trialled. They highlighted that for example, the welfare benefits of upright catching can be offset by welfare harms resulting from the additional time it takes to catch chickens using this method. The AWC noted that the method most likely to deliver higher welfare depends on multiple factors and that there is no single method that can guarantee higher welfare in every circumstance.
It is welcome, therefore, that the Government has commissioned research into whether mandating upright catching in Great Britain would deliver overall improvements in animal welfare outcomes, whilst maintaining production and safeguarding food security in the context of projected labour constraints and protecting the health and safety of the workforce in the sector. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has stated that the research is due to conclude in June 2028. It is important that the egg and poultry sector are consulted throughout this process. The government should also support and work with the sector to ensure compliance with welfare standards.
