Frankenchickens: 200 Yorkshire chicken farms could be breaking law over breeding, warns charity
The Humane League's sent letters to more than 1,600 farmers across the country warning over breeding fast growing chickens
An animal welfare charity says it's contacted almost 200 Yorkshire farmers who may be breaking the law by breeding so called 'Frankenchickens'.
More than 1,600 chicken farmers across the country have been sent letters by the Humane League, warning that if they raise the breed they may be breaking the law and could face serious legal consequences.
Frankenchickens account for over 9 in 10 chickens raised their meat in the UK.
They are bred to grow extremely large, extremely quickly, growing from chick to slaughter weight in just 35 days on average.
The send out follows a judicial review which ruled that farming animals who suffer due to their genes is unlawful - regardless of profitability.
The ruling by the Court of Appeal also said that farmers have a duty to inform themselves about the welfare problems affecting the animals they keep, including fast-growing chickens.
The letters argue that Frankenchickens suffer regardless of environment, and therefore raising them must be unlawful.
Sean Gifford, Managing Director at The Humane League UK, said: “Chicken farming in the UK is fundamentally broken.
"That’s why we are putting one and a half thousand UK chicken producers on notice. The Court of Appeal was crystal clear - raising animals whose genes condemn them to lives of suffering is unlawful.
"Frankenchickens, who struggle with lameness, organ failure and blisters from lying in their own waste, are forced to endure this suffering as a result of their very DNA.
"We believe this makes farming them illegal. "These letters are a crucial step towards building a better future for people and animals”.
British Poultry Council Chief Executive Richard Griffiths said:
"There has been no legal ruling against the use of conventional breeds and nothing to suggest that British poultry meat production, as it stands, is unlawful.
"The Court of Appeal denied the Humane League’s appeal and made clear that welfare decisions sit within the remit of the competent authority - in this case, Defra.
"The Court recognised welfare as a complex issue influenced by genetics, husbandry, and environment.
"Good practice remains key, and that is something British poultry meat producers take very seriously.
"British poultry producers operate to some of the highest welfare standards in the world, with over 90% of production assured under Red Tractor.
"The derogatory terms used by NGOs are misleading and undermines evidence-based progress in welfare and sustainable food production."