Animal welfare campaigners have hit out at the Labour government’s first known animal policy, accusing them of watering down crucial protections by legalising the practice of carrying chickens by their legs.
In a move branded “shocking” and “cruel”, Labour has drawn fire for scrapping an EU-era regulation that made it illegal to handle chickens this way.
The controversial change is the first dilution of EU animal welfare standards since Brexit, and critics are not holding back. The Animal Law Foundation, a prominent campaign group, has blasted the practice as “currently illegal, and harmful,” warning that handling chickens by their legs can cause “significant pain and distress,” with injuries such as fractures and dislocations being all too common.
Under European Transport Regulation 1/2005, which still applies in the UK, it has long been forbidden to lift chickens by their legs on farms or during transportation. Despite this, the Labour government has decided to amend the law to make this painful procedure legal – sparking widespread condemnation.
“The British people do not want this, they want animal welfare standards high and enforced.”
Initially, the government argued that the practice was not illegal, citing its inclusion in the Codes of Practice. But after legal threats from the Animal Law Foundation, ministers have conceded that the practice does indeed violate current regulations. Instead of upholding the ban, the government has now decided to push ahead with legalising the practice, setting the stage for a major backlash.
Edie Bowles, executive director at the Animal Law Foundation, expressed outrage at the government’s decision, calling it a clear betrayal of the UK’s commitment to animal welfare. “It is shocking that Labour’s first animal welfare policy is a dilution of protections,” Bowles said. “What’s more, it’s especially surprising given this is the first erosion of an EU animal welfare protection since Brexit. The British people do not want this – they want high standards that are properly enforced.”
With this controversial move, Labour is likely to face increasing pressure from both animal rights campaigners, Conservative Animal Rights Groups and the British public that has long supported tough animal welfare laws. The question now is whether Labour will listen to these growing concerns, or press ahead with its highly contentious plan.
