The British Poultry Council welcomes Defra’s updated statutory code of practice for enhanced welfare of meat chicken keepers and meat chicken breeders.

The British Poultry Council (BPC) has played a key role in updating the existing welfare code to reflect the very latest science, regulation and industry best practice. The new code of practice provides guidance on biosecurity and welfare standards required to comply with legislation.

British Poultry Council, Technical Director, Máire Burnett, said:

“We welcome the new statutory code of practice for welfare of meat chickens and meat breeding chickens. The new code reflects the high welfare standards followed by British poultry meat farmers, breeders and veterinarians based on the very latest scientific and veterinary developments.

The British poultry meat sector operates to world-class standards applied by trained farmers and veterinarians who are experts in their field. We’re proud of where we are on our health and welfare journey and we’re committed to continuously improving our food production system and following welfare science as it progresses.

We look forward to continue working with Defra to further enhance welfare codes for turkeys and ducks to reflect industry best practice.”