November 4, 2009

 

UK free-range poultry producers allowed to raise stocking densities

 

 

RSPCA Freedom Food has approved UK free range poultry producers to raise their stocking densities in line with the change to the Lion code made at the start of this year.

 

This is good news for the free range sector, which has been pressing for permission from Freedom Food to increase the range stocking density from 1,000 birds/hectare to the new Lion standard of 2,000/hectare. EU regulations allow up to 2,500/hectare.

 

The industry said there is an urgent need to expand free range production to meet demand when the EU cage ban arrives in January 2012. Lion Eggs believes it is faster to get planning permission to add buildings to an existing unit than to build a new site, so production can be boosted in the shorter term.

 

A survey carried out by British Free Range Egg Producers (BFREPA) in the summer showed members would create up to 640,000 extra bird places if the rules were changed. Out of 65 members who responded, 54 said they wanted to expand.

 

RSPCA said its decision will help meet the rising demand for British free-range eggs. If there is a shortfall in British eggs, those from countries that have lower welfare standards would be imported to fill the gap.

 

The approval comes along with some conditions, including that five percent of the total range area should be provided with natural cover, and that dedicated areas should be provided for behavioural patterns such as perching and dust bathing.

 

Producers should also develop a range management plan and should pay further attention to the area immediately outside the pop holes, said the RSPCA.