New laying hen welfare standards paused following industry criticism

The combination of providing both verandas and natural daylight is designed to significantly improve bird welfare. Photo: Canva

Anger over the planned introduction of veranda and daylight provisions for free-range and barn laying birds have prompted the UK’s largest animal welfare charity to pause implementation of its new welfare standards.

In response to feedback from members and the wider industry, RSPCA Assured has agreed to delay implementation of its latest planshttps://www.poultryworld.net/poultry/layers/amendments-made-to-rspcas-new-laying-hen-welfare-standards/ for 3 months, meaning members can continue to use the current version of the standards, published in 2017, until 1 August 2024.

The combination of providing both verandas and natural daylight is designed to significantly improve bird welfare, according to the charity, as it will help reduce feather pecking and keel bone fractures – 2 of the most challenging welfare issues for hens in egg production. Natural daylight also provides an appropriate visual environment for free-range birds when range access is restricted, for example, during a housing order.

Kelly Grellier, RSPCA Assured interim chief operations officer, said the charity believed the new welfare standards would help deliver significant improvements to the lives of hens but accepted that it was important to take time to listen to industry concerns: “We recognise the importance of taking the appropriate time to listen to our members and the industry so we can provide additional support and help them achieve these challenging standards.”

Case studies to be shared

During the pause, RSPCA Assured will also share practical case studies from UK farms to provide guidance and real-life examples of how the standards can be applied and met. And the certification scheme body added that a new approach to how it worked with members and the wider industry throughout the entire standards communication and implementation process was also being developed.

“The standards will not be undergoing any further amendments. This additional grace period will allow us time to fully honour the commitments we made to our members and the wider industry during our meeting on 22 January – and find a way to move forward positively and together.”

The amendments included extending the timeline for natural daylight by 1 year to 1 January 2031, and removing the veranda requirement for refurbished and new member free-range systems. While verandas were never required for existing free-range members, the RSPCA will be conducting a thorough review into the practicalities of achieving this in the future.