Defra Opens Consultation on Beak Trimming Ban
UK - The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is calling for opinions on the lifting of the coming ban on routine beak trimming under limited conditions.
22 January 2010
2 minute read
The consultation is seeking views on Defra's proposal to amend the Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007 (S.I 2007/1100).
This amendment would see the removal of the ban on routine beak trimming of laying hens that comes into force on 1 January 2011. The proposed regulations would allow for routine beak-trimming of day-old chicks intended for laying to be done using the infra-red beak technology only.
This consultation will primarily be relevant to hatcheries; pullet rearers; egg producers; animal welfare groups; Animal Health; veterinarians; retailers; academics and anyone else concerned about the welfare of laying hens.
The consultation closes on 14 April 2010.
