There are a number of farm animal related issues which we have been bringing to the attention of politicians at Westminster and you can read more about these on this page.
Battery cage ban
The RSPCA commends Defra for insisting that England will keep to the ban on conventional barren battery cages in 2012. Serious questions still need to be asked about the readiness of other EU member states for the ban and what the EU and Defra will do to ensure that no eggs from barren cage systems are imported into the UK.
The Society opposes so-called ‘enriched’ cages and believes that they provide only a little more space compared to barren cages and limited facilities for nesting, perching and scratching. In reality, the RSPCA beleives that the cages are still insufficient for the birds to perform many natural behaviours properly or move about and exercise fully. 'Enriched' cages only need to supply 600cm2 of usable area per hen, which is still less than the size of an A4 piece of paper.
In 2010, 50% of eggs in the UK were produced in non-cage systems (barn, free-range and organic), compared to the other half produced in cages. This is 13% more than the proportion of cage-free eggs produced in 2005 and 22% more than in 2000. This indicates the public appetite to move away from cage based systems.
Welfare of chickens bred for meat
Parliament recently passed the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations 2010 which transposed the EU directive on the welfare of birds raised for meat.
The RPSCA was very disappointed with the Directive when it was passed in the EU as it failed to adequately protect birds on some key issues affecting welfare. For example, the stocking density limit is higher than that recommended by SCAHAW in its 2000 report, which stated that above 30kg/m² there is a steep rise in the frequency of serious welfare problems. We would therefore like to see the proposed maximum stocking density reduced to 30kg liveweight/m². The maximum stocking density of 39kg/m² (which could have been increased to 42kg/m² by derogation) permits producers to allocate a space less than an A4 piece of paper (619cm²) per chicken and less than that allocated per laying hen when kept in battery cages (550cm²per bird).
In the UK regulations, the RSPCA was pleased to see that Defra decided not adopt the derogation to stock at 42kg/m², although Defra’s own figures showed that nearly 90 per cent of UK chicken production is already subject to a maximum stocking density of 38kg/m² as part of the Red Tractor farm assurance scheme. However, the legislation was cause for muted celebration as for the first time in legislation there are now minimum standards in place for meat chickens.
Beak trimming
The Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) recently stated that, “the mutilation of all livestock is undesirable and continues to regard beak trimming as a major insult to the hen’s welfare”. The RSPCA agrees with this view and wants to see it banned. However, FAWC also recognised that in the absence of an alternative means to prevent cannibalism in hens that the ban should be postponed.
The RSPCA reluctantly understands Defra’s reasoning for postponing the ban given the lack of alternative methods available. However, we would have liked to have seen a more definite commitment as to when this decision is to be reviewed, and a firm date should have been included in the legislation rather than in the Minister’s written statement. A date enshrined in law would have given stakeholders an impetus to solve the underlying issues.
The Society had called for a review in 2013 to precede a ban in 2015, however Defra has decided to postpone the ban in legislation (whilst saying that only the infra-red method could be used) only committing to a view on a ban in 2016.
We will continue to urge all stakeholders involved to look for a prompt solution to find an alternative to beak trimming ahead of the timescale indicated by the government.
Rearing of game birds
The Code of Practice for the Welfare of Game Birds was produced by Defra at the end of 2010. The RSPCA was very disappointed that the government decided to change its mind on banning enriched cages to breed game birds, after even FAWC, the government's own advisory body said that cages were unable to meet the birds’ needs.
Game birds are semi-wild, and using outdoor pens and paddocks for small numbers of birds is preferable to restricting them in cages. The RSPCA believes further research would provide scientific evidence in order to set up the best welfare-based rearing system as we accept that currently there is very little evidence on the issue. Defra have funded research with the Scottish Agricultural College on gamebird welfare in enriched cages which will be completed in 2012, when the Society hopes that the government will review its decision.
Further statistics can be found in the RSPCA farm animal welfare indicators:
RSPCA farm animal welfare indicators: chickens
RSPCA farm animal welfare indicators: eggs
RSPCA farm animal welfare indicators: live transport
RSPCA farm animal welfare indicators: piglets
RSPCA farm animal welfare indicators: animal health