Food labelling
Consumers require clear labelling of food to ensure that their aspirational choices on animal welfare can be turned into actual purchasing behaviour. Labelling also makes it possible for producers of higher welfare standards to gain due recognition for this and recover some of their increased production costs in the market place. Labelling can be one of the least trade restrictive measures so can be a preferred legislative option.
In November 2009 the European Commission released their preferred options for labelling in the EU. This outlines some options to give better information to consumers and an economic incentive to producers to shift to higher welfare. It proposes harmonising the requirements for welfare claims in voluntary labelling schemes, the establishment of a voluntary Community Label for animal welfare claims and drafting guidelines for animal welfare schemes.
The RSPCA would support the introduction of a European logo showing adherence to higher animal welfare standards, providing those standards were clearly above the baseline. We would also support moves to establish harmonised requirements for any voluntary claims made on animal welfare labels. Both options would make existing labelling more transparent and auditable and would avoid problems of discrimination with products from other third countries.
Chicken welfare
The RSPCA has been campaigning for chickens for a number of years. In 2007, Council Directive 2007/43/EC setting out minimum standards for the protection of chickens reared for meat production was passed by the EU. We were very disappointed that the Directive did not go far enough to address some serious welfare concerns, particulary relating to fast growth rates. However, the Directive is a step in the right direction as it will bring in common standards across the EU.
It is likely now that the Directive will be transposed into UK law after the General Election. The RSPCA is calling on the next Government to make sure that the UK's current standards of chicken welfare are not reduced, despite the Directive permitting lower levels of chicken welfare.
What can you do?
- Have a look at the briefings you can download and read on labelling and chicken welfare
- Discuss the issues with other supporters in our forums
- Ask your prosepctive general election candidates what their views are on animal welfare labelling
Other laws that affect farm animals
Here you can find some of the key pieces of law passed over the past 20 years relating to farm animals. Follow the links to find out what the laws do. You can see other laws by visiting our animal welfare law timeline.