Frankenchickens: charity to take on producers

The 21-page appeal judgment said there was contested evidence on fast-growing breeds and so the court could not determine whether keeping them was unlawful.

But appeal judge Lord Justice Males said, according to regulations covering farmed animals, farmers should not try to balance higher productivity against negative impacts on the animals’ wellbeing.

Sean Gifford, from THLUK, said: “This ruling is significant because the government has singularly failed to uphold its basic animal welfare regulations, which very clearly state that chickens should not be bred and used in British farms if it means their breed causes them to suffer.”

The charity said it was evaluating what the judgement would mean in a private, criminal prosecution against a large-scale producer.

“We’re going to be looking at a very big farm, a very large producer, and, exploring if we can really make an example out of them in this particular legal ruling… that this type of suffering should not be happening on British farms,” Mr Gifford said.

A Defra spokesperson said they welcomed the appeal court judgement:  “Our farm animals are protected by robust animal health and welfare laws, which includes detailed requirements on how meat chickens should be kept.

“Any potential breaches of these laws are taken very seriously and we will continue to work with all stakeholders to maintain and enhance our high standards.”

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