Chicken welfare must be at the top of the in-tray for the UK Government’s new Secretary of State responsible for animals Dame Angela Eagle, who has started her new role.
That’s the message from the RSPCA – who have said the UK’s new Andy Burnham-led government must not ‘chicken out’ on a pivotal opportunity to make the lives of billions of birds better, as Dame Eagle returns to head up the Defra Ministry.
Failure to act will risk consigning countless chickens to short, miserable lives for future generations.
Meat chicken production is “the single biggest animal welfare challenge of all time” – with the scale of the problem set to ramp up in the coming years as chicken consumption grows, putting billions of birds at risk.
Already, each year, the equivalent of 15 chickens are reared for every adult in the country – highlighting the scale of consumption taking place, with many bred to grow so fast they can struggle to walk, and experience other health problems like serious heart defects.
Problems set to grow
But things could get worse for chicken welfare in the coming years. The UK Government’s chicken prioritisation plans set out in March plan to increase domestic chicken food production – which critics fear could increase animals farmed in intensive, lower welfare conditions.
Meanwhile, recent United Nations data suggests global meat supply has quadrupled in the last 60 years, and the appetite for chicken has grown even faster, with per capita consumption now six times higher than it was six decades ago.
New UK Government opportunity
In response, and with more than one billion chickens already reared for meat in the UK every year, the RSPCA is calling on the UK Government to commit to better welfare standards for these long-ignored animals.
The new Burnham-led government can “make a real statement for animals” by adding a commitment to phase out fast-growing breeds into its Animal Welfare Strategy for England.
Kate Parkes, chicken welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “Chicken welfare is at a crossroads in England – and the decisions taken now will literally impact the lives of tens of millions of animals.
“UK Government plans that may encourage the intensification of farming risks pushing the welfare of chickens further and further to the bottom of the agenda. This already comes with so many fast-growing birds being reared in horrible conditions – there’s literally an epidemic of so-called Frankenchickens.
“It’s already been a grim year for chicken welfare. We’ve seen 18 food service businesses recently go back on a pledge to move away from rearing these fastgrowing breeds of chicken, but the new Minister has a real opportunity to take decisive action for chickens, and tackle one of the single biggest animal welfare challenges of all time.
“Phasing out the use of fast-growing breeds, as we are seeing elsewhere in the world, and incentivising farmers who prioritise chicken welfare in food production, would make a real statement for animals.”
Ministers are also being urged to incentivise higher domestic farming standards, protect local producers from lower-welfare imports, and provide robust financial support to help farmers transition to higher-welfare systems.
Other countries are already introducing a more humane course – highlighting the need for action by the new UK administration.
In Norway, a quiet revolution in welfare-friendly chicken farming is already proving that a better future is possible – with the Scandinavian country set to rear only breeds that the RSPCA considers acceptable for use under its welfare standards, from 2028.
But there are fears that – without commitment from the new Minister – the UK could fall behind.
Animal welfare must be a priority amid ‘crowded’ agenda
The campaign comes as the RSPCA urges the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and the new Secretary of State Dame Eagle, to demonstrate their commitment to plans contained within the previously published Animal Welfare Strategy for England, including clearer timelines.
In December, Ministers published the new Strategy – including proposals to regulate animal sanctuaries, stop irresponsible dog breeding, and end the use of cages for many farmed animals. There were also plans to ban trail hunting, end the use of snares to catch wildlife in England and modernise the veterinary industry.
Burnham’s administration is expected to continue with plans, announced last week, for reform for the veterinary sector, including protecting the veterinary nurse title, and to regulate animal behaviourists.
During his election campaign, Burnham also pledged his backing for a ban on trail hunting – and voiced support for the UK Government’s wider animal welfare plans. Now, the RSPCA has urged him to ensure the Strategy remains “on track” – by publishing clear timelines for delivery.
David Bowles OBE, Head of Public Affairs at the RSPCA, added: “People across the country love animals – and want a government that will outlaw cruel practices which cause suffering, and pass laws which give all animals the kindness and respect they deserve.
“But with the political landscape so busy and crowded right now, it is vital that this new UK Government not only recommits to the promising commitments contained within the Animal Welfare Strategy for England, but publishes clear timelines for delivery.
“We also believe an annual debate in Parliament would help keep the UK Government on track and keep the animal-loving public informed – ensuring decision-makers are taking this opportunity to make this a better world for every kind”
