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Defra consultation on new chicken welfare statutory code
Image: meat chickens
The new statutory code aims to provide up-to-date guidance on the welfare of meat chickens
Views sought on welfare of meat and meat breeding chickens in England

Defra has opened a period of consultation on a new statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Meat Chickens and Meat Breeding Chickens, for England.

The purpose of the existing statutory code is to provide owners and keepers of meat chickens and meat breeding chickens with guidance on how to comply with relevant welfare legislation. It has not been updated since it was published in 2002 and does not fully reflect the additional rules relating to the welfare of conventionally reared meat chickens, which came into force in 2010.

Guidance on these requirements was published in 2011 in a separate document entitled, Interim guidance for keepers of conventionally reared meat chickens in relation to the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007 as amended by the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2010.

The proposal is to revoke the existing statutory Code of Recommendations for the Welfare of Livestock: Meat Chickens and Breeding Chickens (2002) and to replace both it – and the interim guidance – with a new statutory code, which is provided in draft as part of the consultation documentation.

The new statutory code aims to provide up-to-date guidance on the current legislation; to maintain animal welfare standards; to reflect the latest scientific and veterinary knowledge; and be presented in a clear and relevant way for farmers.

The consultation, which began on 11 August and closes on 6 October, invites comments on whether – and how well – the draft statutory code published with this consultation document achieves these aims.

The consultation survey is available online. Alternatively, if you wish to respond by other means, contact animalwelfare.consultations@defra.gsi.gov.uk.

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.