Chickens reared for meat are not “battery”
farmed and poultry producers in the
Charles Bourns, chairman of the NFU poultry board, and Peter
Bradnock, chief executive of the BPC, said animal welfare was the top priority
for poultry producers, because their birds were their most valuable assets.
They pointed out that low prices on supermarket shelves did not
mean low welfare on farm.
The two men were responding to allegations about welfare revealed
in a new TV campaign against intensive poultry production by so-called
celebrity chefs, such as Jamie Oliver.
“It’s disappointing that once again the British media is referring
to chickens reared for meat as ‘battery’ farmed. This is completely untrue and
our members who look after the national flock are fed up to the back teeth of
hearing it repeated,” said both Mr Bourns and Mr Bradnock.
“Chickens reared for meat in Britain are kept indoors or are free
range – they are never kept in battery cages,” they said.
“British poultry meat is produced to high standards which are
independently validated and monitored by auditors from outside the industry.
These scientifically based standards ensure sound welfare, environmental
protection and safety.
“As well as this, welfare inspections are also often carried out
by independent inspectors on behalf of producers’ customers.”
The two poultry industry leaders added: “The UK and the EU lead
the world in animal welfare. British poultry farming is a highly regulated
sector, both in law and in its assurance standards, which go beyond legal
requirements.”
Under the independent Assured Chicken Production (ACP) standards
farmers have to adhere to the Five Freedoms welfare propositions, which
include:
· Ready access to fresh water and a
nutritionally sound daily diet and sufficient space to allow them to all feed
at the same time;
· Sufficient space, good quality housing and
are kept in a safe, hygienic and comfortable environment;
· The freedom to express normal behaviour by
providing sufficient space to walk, turn, sit, preen, flap and stretch their
wings, and dust bathe;
· Being free from pain, injury and disease
through prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment;
· Being provided with living conditions and
treatment that avoid mental suffering.
In addition, under ACP standards the maximum stocking density in
the UK is 38 kilograms per square metre.
Click here for the NFU.
Channel 4: http://www.channel4.com/food/on-tv/the-big-food-fight/the-big-food-fight-preview-07-12-18_p_1.html