02 Sept 09: bartlett mitchell and I fully support the RSPCA Quash the Squash campaign.

It is NOT right for England to take a step backward for chicken welfare - allowing chickens to live in higher density environments than currently stipulated - to come in line with EU legislation...

• welfare of meat chickens is under threat
• government's deciding how to transpose new EU chicken welfare legislation into English law
• RSPCA urgently need help to ensure that it makes the right choice for chickens

It’s great news that there will be new legislation to protect chickens, but there’s one element that may prove to be a massive backward step for chicken welfare in the UK. At current minimum industry standards, so many chickens are crowded into a shed each bird has less space each than a sheet of A4 paper. It’s hard to walk or even flap their wings. The new EU legislation could allow even more chickens into already overcrowded sheds.

Is this how you want the UK to treat its animals?

If not, please join us in urging the Minister for Animal Welfare, Mr Jim Fitzpatrick, to Quash the Squash and reject this backwards step for chicken welfare. The decision is imminent, so we urgently need you to take action today...

Use this link to write to Mr. Jim Fitzpatrick!

In our opinion, Lisa Howarth got it right... "Consumption of 'standard' chickens, ie chickens farmed under conditions approved by DEFRA dropped by 11% last year, higher welfare sales rose by 25%, free-range chickens by 35%. This despite the 'credit crunch' and fall in disposable income. The number of chickens reared under the RSPCA s higher welfare assurance scheme rose by 125%. (The Guardian, 25 August 2009). This highlights the fact that consumers are increasingly aware of the welfare of birds and are increasingly concerned for the well-being of the bird before slaughter. It is not realistic to expect the population to go vegetarian, but it is shortsighted to go against this growing movement. DEFRA should not accept the EU ruling and should not, given the miserable lives of the chickens involved, make this decision based on fear of losing consumers; rather, they should highlight the situation and highlight it positively on British chicken labels. Campaigns and education have been seen to be a massive force in changing the habits of consumers (Jamie Oliver, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall) and Defra could utilise them, and public opinion, not take that backwards step."

Treat your food well! 

Delicious regards

David James