The repeal of the code on farming chickens for meat + farming should be debated

The Government plans to scrap the code on farming chickens for meat and breeding.

The proposed Government amendments or downgrading of animal welfare standards (scheduled to commence on 27 April 2016) i.e the repealing of statutory codes on farm animal welfare, including:

1. the scrapping of the official code on farming chickens for meat and breeding; and 2. the proposed move to " industry-led” guidance,

may reasonably be seen as significantly posing the risk of:

(A) reducing animal welfare standards; and (B) negatively impacting on consumer safety and public health,

and, as such, should be debated in, and be the subject of, legislation passed by the UK Parliament before being implemented.

We have the highest standards of animal welfare in the world and no changes were ever planned to the animal welfare legislation upholding them, or to the strict enforcement and penalties that apply.

The Government has confirmed that this legislation will continue to be supported by statutory codes.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs