REGARDING the EU Broiler Directive on meat chicken welfare; it would be extremely disappointing for the UK Government to lower chicken welfare standards despite soaring sales of higher welfare chicken, major shifts in retailer policies and high-profile campaigns by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Compassion in World Farming.
The EU Broiler Directive allows chickens to be stocked at up to 42kg/m², which is equivalent to 19-21 birds per square meter. This is far too high and represents severe overcrowding.
Moreover, the EU Directive fails to address the issue of fast-growing breeds, which causes millions of chickens to suffer from lameness, and to die from heart and lung failure each year.
If the UK Government takes the welfare of chickens seriously, it must exclude the upper maximum stocking density of 42kg/m2 from UK legislation.
Stocking density should be reduced not increased. It should also include a recommendation on choice of breed to help end the use of unnatural fast-growing breeds.
I urge Defra to take all possible measures to improve the lives of chickens in the UK.
DAVID TOPLISS, Banbury Road, Oxford
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