The High Court in the United Kingdom has dismissed a legal challenge by The Humane League against the Government's allowance of fast-growing broiler chickens in farming. The charity argued that this practice violated existing animal welfare laws which state that animals can only be kept for farming purposes if they can be kept “without any detrimental effect on their health or welfare.” However, the judge ruled that the Secretary of State had not acted against her legal duties. The court acknowledged the evidence that fast-growing breeds are more likely to experience potential welfare issues when compared to slower growing breeds but deemed it reasonable for the Secretary of State to conclude that they could be kept without detriment to their welfare under suitable environmental conditions.
Opens in a new window
