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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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Strangles survey seeks views of horse owners

News Story 1
 With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.

The survey, which has been designed by Dechra, aims to raise awareness of Strangles and promote best practices to prevent its transmission. It includes questions about horse owners' experiences of strangles, together with preventative measures and vaccination.

Respondents to the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win two VIP tickets to Your Horse Live 2025. To access the survey, click here 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Vivienne Mackinnon elected BVA Scottish Branch President

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has elected Vivienne Mackinnon as its new BVA Scottish Branch president.

Dr Mackinnon has over 30 years of experience in veterinary care, encompassing both small animal and mixed practice. She has worked in practices in Scotland, England, New Zealand and Australia, before joining APHA to work in frontline disease control.

In her speech, Dr Mackinnon reflected on the changes in Scotland's veterinary industry and highlighted her commitment to veterinary education.

Dr Mackinnon said: "I look forward to working with colleagues across the veterinary professions to improve animal health and welfare in the country and support veterinary workplaces."