No increase in multi-tier stocking says RSPCA

The RSPCA has said there will be no watering-down of its standards to allow increased stocking densities on multi-tier systems.

In a letter to BFREPA, the organisation’s senior scientific officer John Avizienius said that because the systems are novel they would be assessed on a case by case basis.

“Our standards are very much to be seen as work in progress,” he wrote, “but there are some aspects of them which are immutable, for example, the stocking density of nine birds per sq. metre of usable area and 15 birds per sq. metre on the floor.

“There have been claims that there will be pressure to stock at higher levels than this. I can categorically state that this will not happen.”

Mr Avizienius was responding to a letter from association chairman Tom Vesey, who had contacted the RSPCA urging it to fully monitor the development of multi-tier systems in the UK to ensure that the high welfare conditions associated with the Freedom Food scheme were not in any way compromised.

“Our members continue to express concern over the development of multi-tier systems in the UK, particularly the threat to the image of free range in the eyes of consumers,” spelled out Tom.

“Of most concern to us is whether the birds, particularly those frequenting the upper tiers, are restricted or discouraged from using the range area.”

The RSPCA is currently monitoring a multi-tier unit in Scotland which is putting through its first flock.

“To date, we have no evidence that these systems are in any way discouraging or restricting birds from using the range,” says Mr Avizienius.

“If we receive any evidence that the welfare of the birds is in any way compromised by these systems, then action will be taken to redress this.”