If you rear chicken for meat on your farm, you need to be aware of new EU legislation for chicken rearing which comes into force on the 30 June 2010. These include a maximum stocking density of 39 kg per square metre, minimum management requirements and training.

Offer of free guidance at regional workshops

To help understand what these changes will mean for you, ADAS is running six regional workshops that will give you an opportunity to find out what the new EU legislation means for you. The workshops are being delivered by ADAS on behalf of Defra, the British Poultry Council and the National Farmers Union.

The legislation will be explained together with discussions on what each requirement will mean at the farm level. The workshops will allow you to ask questions in an informal atmosphere with other rearers.

Although the legislation does not apply to breeding chickens, free-range and organic chickens and those who keep less than 500 birds, the new EU welfare provisions demonstrate best practice and science which could be applied to all systems of production. Therefore all rearers, regardless of system of production, are welcome and encouraged to attend the workshops.

The workshops will run from 6.30pm to 9pm. Refreshments will be provided.

The meetings are free to attend, but please pre-book. If you would like to attend one of the events please:

• call Carol Gough or Georgie Fomes of ADAS UK Ltd on 01354 692531 or 01354 697200, or
• Or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected].