New Animal Welfare Regulations: What You Need to Know

In an effort to align animal welfare practices across the UK, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has introduced a significant amendment to existing animal transport legislation. This change, encapsulated in the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, affects how chickens and turkeys are handled during transport, aiming to harmonize legal standards with long-standing industry practices.

Key Changes:

• Two-Legged Lifting Allowed: The new regulation allows chickens and certain turkeys to be caught, lifted, and carried by both legs. This adjustment resolves a previous inconsistency between EU-derived rules and the UK's statutory guidance, which had long permitted such practices.

• Specifics for Turkeys: For turkeys weighing 5kg or less, the amendment permits handling by both legs. Heavier turkeys, however, must not be lifted in an inverted position to avoid welfare issues. This decision follows industry input and aims to reflect current best practices.

Why the Change?

The amendment addresses discrepancies between the EU's Regulation 1/2005 and the UK's established welfare codes. Historically, EU rules prohibited lifting animals by their legs, a stance that did not consider common UK practices for poultry. By updating the law, the UK ensures clarity and consistency for farmers and transporters, aligning legal requirements with standard industry methods.

Consultation Insights:

The decision followed extensive public consultation, drawing input from industry stakeholders, animal welfare groups, and the general public. Opinions were split:

• Many from the public and animal welfare sectors advocated for upright body handling, arguing it's better for bird welfare.
• Conversely, industry representatives supported the continuation of two-leg handling, citing efficiency and practicality.

Ultimately, the government settled on allowing two-leg handling while committing to further research on the welfare impacts of different handling methods.

Impact and Implementation:

For compliant businesses, the regulation change incurs no new costs. The adjustment primarily clarifies existing practices, aligning formal rules with operational realities. For those previously non-compliant, there may be minor adjustments required, particularly concerning labor practices.

Defra emphasizes that while the current focus is on maintaining welfare standards, the conversation on best practices continues. Future legislative reviews could further evolve these standards based on ongoing research and sector feedback.

Conclusion:

The amended regulations offer clarity and consistency for the poultry industry across Great Britain, balancing practical handling methods with animal welfare considerations. As the government continues to evaluate and refine welfare practices, stakeholders are encouraged to remain engaged with ongoing research and dialogue.