LONDON, 14th July 2025
Today (Monday 14th July) the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation has welcomed an Early Day Motion (EDM) led by Adrian Ramsay MP titled ‘Animals’. The motion text reads ‘That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 776), dated 30 June 2025, a copy of which was laid before this House on 1 July, be annulled.’
The EDM aims to challenge the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, a new Government Amendment which will allow chickens and turkeys weighing less than 5kg to be routinely caught and handled by their legs.
This follows a Government consultation opened in March 2025 proposing to dilute the retained version of EU Regulation 1/2005, which protects animals during transport and handling. The consultation, now closed, described “catching chickens by both legs as an appropriate and acceptable method” even though scientific consensus, including from the Animal Welfare Committee, recognises that handling by the legs causes significant pain and distress, as well as physical injuries including fractures, bruising, and dislocations.
Despite more than half (59%) of respondents disagreeing with the proposal to amend the legislation to permit chickens to be caught by two legs, Defra, the Scottish and Welsh Governments have stated they will proceed with the proposal to exempt chickens from the prohibition on the lifting of chickens by their legs.
Given the regulations were laid under the negative procedure, a motion such as an EDM is the only way MPs can prevent this Amendment from becoming law. Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation urges all MPs across parties to sign this EDM which aims to prevent the suffering of millions of chickens and turkeys across Great Britain.
Lorraine Platt, Co-Founder of Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation, commented: “The Government’s decision to lower animal welfare standards for millions of sentient farmed animals flies in the face of overwhelming scientific consensus that handling chickens by both legs causes significant pain, distress, and injury. It’s a move that not only undermines scientific advice but betrays the public’s growing expectation for higher standards of farm animal welfare. We urge all MPs across parties to sign this important EDM which challenges the Amendment as soon as possible.”
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About Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation (CAWF)
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation was established in 2016 to raise awareness on the lives of billions of animals reared on intensive farms around the world and how this impact upon animal welfare, the environment and people’s health. We want to highlight the action people can take to help advance farm animal welfare.
Animal welfare is an increasing concern amongst the public, who frequently look to Government to take the lead in both maintaining and improving standards.
The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation believes it is highly important that the welfare of farm animals is placed at the forefront of the Governments plan for food and farming along with its focus on productivity, competitiveness, and technology.
Contact:
Sophia Stileman
Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation
07715 888164