The Court of Appeal has handed down judgment in The Humane League’s claim, by reference to the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations, regarding “fast-growing” chicken breeds.
Although the appeal was dismissed, the Court of Appeal proceeded to express its views, obiter, on the issue of interpretation. In disagreement with the judge, the Court held in summary that the relevant paragraphs of the Regulations establish a prohibition on the keeping of farmed animals which have been bred by genetic selection with a view to achieving certain characteristics, unless it can reasonably be expected on the basis of the way that they have been bred that the animals can be kept without any detrimental effect on health and welfare.
The Judgment is a significant analysis of the legal obligations that apply to keepers of meat chickens and is likely to have consequences for farmed animals generally. The way forward will be a matter for the Government or the courts in the event of prosecutions.
The Court of Appeal dismissed The Humane League’s ancillary arguments regarding the Trigger System and Government’s published policy.
The Judgment is available here.
Edward Brown KC, leading Brendan McGurk KC of Monckton Chambers, acted for The Humane League, instructed by Edie Bowles of Advocates for Animals.
Hugh Mercer KC, leading James Burton of 39 Essex Chambers, acted for the British Poultry Council by way of written submissions.
