A new statutory code of practice has come into law in England, providing additional guidance on biosecurity, and new standards for the welfare of broilers and broiler breeders on farms with 500 or more chickens.
Reflecting the latest science, regulation and industry best-practice, the industry organization, the British Poultry Council (BPC), provided input into the updating of the code by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Defra.
“The new code reflects the high welfare standards followed by British poultry meat farmers, breeders and veterinarians based on the very latest scientific and veterinary developments,” said BPC Technical Director, Máire Burnett. “We’re proud of where we are on our health and welfare journey and we’re committed to continuously improving our food production system and following welfare science as it progresses.”
Minister for Animal Welfare, Lord Gardiner, stressed that recent scientific and veterinary advice, as well as industry expertise, were used to review the evidence to update the previous version of the code.
Updated recommendations
Replacing the former 2002 version, the new Code of Practice for the Welfare of Meat Chickens and Meat Breeding Chickens came into force on March 26, 2018. It includes longer prison sentences for those found guilty of animal cruelty, and the introduction of closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance in slaughterhouses, according to Lord Gardiner.
Remaining fundamental to the new Code are the “Five Freedoms” developed by the Farm Animal Welfare Committee — namely freedom from hunger and thirst; discomfort; pain, injury or disease; the ability to express normal behavior; and fear and distress.
For poultry producers, key new elements to the Code are the inclusion of new guidance on staff training, stocking density, and follow-up at slaughterhouses.
For those who work with the birds, it is now required to demonstrate caring and responsible planning and management of the chickens, as well as “skilled, knowledgeable and conscientious stockmanship.” Particular emphasis is put on appropriate environmental design, care of the birds during handling and transport, and humane slaughter.
All production systems are covered by the welfare requirements included in the Code, with additional measures for “conventionally reared meat chickens.” These do not apply to birds reared under extensive indoor, free range or organic marketing standards. Additional recommendations are made for free range systems, as well as for breeding chickens, both broiler parents and grandparents.
Compliance with the relevant legislation and the new version of the Code will be covered during welfare inspections on farms by the appropriate national and local agencies.
Along with other organizations, BPC is now working with Defra on updating the codes of practice on the welfare of meat turkeys and ducks, and the Department is also working on a review of the regulations for laying hens.
