lobbying activities
The Animal Justice Project, a leading animal advocacy group, will carry out a confidential investigation between September 2023 and January 2024 at a prominent RSPCA Assured Free Range Egg Farm in partnership with the Directors of the British Free Range Egg Producers Association. did. The UK's free-range egg industry.'
Ayrton Cooper, Campaign Manager at Animal Justice Project, said: „We want to encourage consumers to look beyond the illusion of 'cage-free' and make the truly compassionate choice of choosing egg-free alternatives. I encourage them to accept it.“
„Despite flashy advertising campaigns touting 'cage-free' eggs, the reality is far from humane. Our research reveals that labels can be deceptive and that 'cage-free' eggs are far from humane.“ It was a stark reminder that behind the „free“ façade lies a world of suffering for millions of chickens.
“The time has come for consumers to question the ethics behind their food choices and demand transparency and accountability from the food industry. By moving to plant-based alternatives, we can do more than just protect animal rights. We can pave the way to a more sustainable and ethical future.”
RSPCA Assured exclusive research confirms that 87% of the UK public cares about the welfare of chickens. More than 70% of eggs sold in the UK in 2022 will come from cage-free chickens, and all major UK retailers have pledged to sell only 'free-range' eggs by 2025.
audit
Despite this effort, disturbing video footage reveals the alarming reality of the conditions cage-free chickens endure. It depicts thousands of birds confined in vast factory-style sheds, denied access to the outdoors.
The Animal Justice Project claims RSPCA Assured has bowed to industry pressure, including lobbying from farm owners who have been found to have breached even the most basic standards, and watered down requirements for animal welfare procedures. ing.
In November 2023, BFREPA, in conjunction with the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC), wrote a letter to the RSPCA Assured certification scheme outlining „serious and significant“ concerns about the introduction of new standards such as balconies and natural light for hens. sent.
As a result, RSPCA Assured withdrew and amended the proposed changes, removing the free-range veranda deadline and extending the period of sunlight for free-range chickens to seven years.
A BFREPA spokesperson said: „Britain's free range and organic egg farms work to the highest standards when it comes to chicken welfare and are subject to a rigorous audit schedule by a number of food safety and animal welfare certification bodies. RSPCA Assured carried out an audit.“ ”
abuse
An investigation by the Animal Justice Project revealed „horrible scenes of overcrowding, neglect and bullying“ at Harper Farm in Leeds. The footage also shows widespread feather loss, bags of dead birds, chickens unable to go outside, injuries, full-grown chickens, and sick chickens. Similarly, the upper tier contains injured hens that cannot reach food or water, and the lower tier contains carcasses and rotting carcasses.
Harper Farms is RSPCA insured and supplies Sainsburys. The farm is owned by Jack Stevenson, director of BFREPA. Charlie Stevenson, who owned the farm until his death, was described as a „heavyweight“ in the free-range egg industry. He was a member of his BFREPA steering group, then called Freedom Food, and he was one of the early members of RSPCA Assured, helping to develop the system used under the Freedom Food scheme. did.
A spokesperson for the Animal Justice Project said: „Harper Farm in Leeds stood out for the most obvious animal suffering. One chicken was filmed being pecked to death over several hours, and another was left to die. The bird was severely injured with fresh, bloody head and visible damage to its eyes. Bird carcasses littered the coop, with large growths, crooked crests, limping, cannibalism, severe feather loss, and shedding. Numerous health issues plagued the herd.”
Investigators also found disease, evidence of cannibalism, dead birds lying across nest boxes and feeders, missing feathers and instances of neglect at Pauline Anne Jones' family farm in Powys. . An Animal Justice Project investigator recalled that the ammonia in the farm was so strong that it „burned“ his eyes.
The farm, run by her husband Richard Jones, supplies Stonegate with RSPCA-guaranteed Sheriff's Tree eggs. Pauline Anne Jones is also her BFREPA Director. A Stonegate spokesperson said: „The care and welfare of our flock is of paramount importance to us and we take allegations of bird abuse very seriously. We immediately shut down the farm in question pending both the investigation and the report of a qualified independent veterinarian.