Target: Emma Reynolds, Environment Secretary, UK
Goal: Reverse the recent law permitting harm to chickens by allowing them to be carried by their legs.
The recent legal decision to allow the handling of chickens by their legs has raised serious concerns regarding animal welfare in the UK. This harmful practice, which was previously prohibited under European regulations, has been reinstated through a statutory instrument laid by the Environment Secretary. This change not only permits chickens to be lifted by their legs—causing significant pain and distress—but also contradicts the government’s previous commitments to uphold higher animal welfare standards post-Brexit, as it represents the first weakening of such protections.
The Animal Law Foundation has reported that the practice of carrying chickens by their legs can lead to horrifying injuries, including fractures and dislocations, and compromises their welfare by causing immense distress. Chickens, when inverted, can suffocate—a peril that underscores the severity of this practice. Moreover, the ambiguity in government codes of practice regarding the handling of these animals adds to a troubling situation where the welfare of chickens is clearly not prioritized. Officials have dismissed alternative methods, such as upright catching, citing cost, which raises questions about the government’s commitment to animal welfare.
It is vital to demand accountability and strong action to restore protections that safeguard chickens from cruel handling practices. Allowing this law to continue represents a dangerous precedent where animal welfare is sidelined for commercial interests, and the public deserves processes that genuinely reflect the welfare needs of these animals. This petition calls for a reversal of the recent legislation that undermines animal welfare in favor of more humane and ethical treatment of chickens.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Secretary Reynolds,
The recent decision to permit the handling of chickens by their legs has generated significant concern and condemnation from animal welfare advocates and the public alike. This change, made through a statutory instrument, risks inflicting serious distress and injury upon chickens, including fractures and the danger of suffocation. This practice contradicts previous standards aimed at protecting these animals and represents a troubling shift away from the government’s pledges to enhance animal welfare in the UK post-Brexit.
The Animal Law Foundation has highlighted the cruel nature of this practice, emphasizing that it leads to significant pain and distress for the chickens involved. The rebound from strict European regulations to a more permissive stance, particularly when evidence supports alternative handling methods that would minimize harm, demonstrates a concerning lack of commitment to animal welfare. Allowing this legal change sends a disturbing message about the prioritization of economic factors over the humane treatment of vulnerable animals.
It is essential to act now and reverse this dangerous legal decision that legitimizes harm to chickens. The welfare of animals should never be compromised for the sake of convenience or costs. Upholding and strengthening animal welfare laws is a moral imperative and a social responsibility. Therefore, we urge you to prioritize the welfare of chickens and to restore the protections against such inhumane handling practices immediately.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Pixabay
