Government says 'No' to beak trimming ban

Farming minister George Eustice has said that a ban on beak trimming will not be introduced in the UK from January 2016.

NFU chief poultry adviser Gary Ford said: “The NFU has always said that January 2016 would have been too early to introduce a ban on beak trimming. We believe that a continuation is in the best welfare interests of laying hens so we are pleased that the Minister has listened to ours and the industry’s concerns.

“The NFU supports and is actively involved in ongoing industry work to better understand what the trigger points are that cause injurious feather pecking.

“The industry will continue its work with welfare groups, such as RSPCA and CiWF, and Defra in exploring ways in which we can work towards an industry that does not need to rely on beak trimming, but where bird welfare is not compromised.”

It is understood that Compassion in World Farming, one of the 30 organisations involved in the pan-industry Beak Trimming Action Group (BTAG), did not support this recommendation, calling for a ban in 2016.

The minister made the announcement in response to a written question in the House of Commons today:

James Cartlidge MP (South Suffolk)

Q. To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what her policy is on beak trimming of laying hens.

George Eustice MP

A. Since 2010, the use of a hot blade to routinely beak trim laying hens has been banned in the UK. In order to prevent injurious feather pecking, use of infra-red technology only is permitted on day old chicks. The Government established the BTAG, comprising representatives from industry, welfare groups, retailers, Defra, scientific and veterinary professions to look at ways birds might be managed so that even infra-red beak trimming would no longer be necessary. Having reviewed all the available evidence, BTAG has now submitted its recommendations, and the report will be placed in the House Library. I have accepted all of the Group’s recommendations.

The Group advised that the risks of introducing a ban on infra-red beak trimming are too great. It could result in outbreaks of severe feather pecking and having to employ emergency beak trimming using the hot blade method, which is a far worse outcome from an animal welfare perspective. However, the BTAG report also identified improved management techniques that could reduce feather pecking. The Government expects to see these techniques introduced across the laying hen sector.