RSPCA Delays New Hen Welfare Standards

RSPCA Assured, renowned for its commitment to animal welfare, has postponed the implementation of its updated standards for laying hens until May 2025. This decision comes in response to significant feedback from egg producers, highlighting concerns over the practical challenges of adopting the revised welfare standards.

The RSPCA Assured scheme, aims to introduce stringent welfare criteria for laying hens, however, farmers raised concerns that the pace of changes would be challenging to meet, resulting in the current 2017 standards remaining in use for an extended period.

The organisation previously amended its timelines, particularly for integrating natural daylight requirements in hen facilities, initially set for 2031, now extended to 2032. An independent researcher is being commissioned to study farms already achieving substantial natural daylight integration, providing insight for those working towards it. This move illustrates the balance RSPCA Assured seeks to maintain between advancing welfare standards and ensuring that practical implementation remains feasible for farmers.

By listening to feedback from its members and the wider egg production sector, RSPCA Assured demonstrates a commitment to advancing welfare standards while considering the practical realities faced by farmers. The decision to delay the rollout provides additional time for the industry to adapt and ensures a collaborative approach to improving hen welfare in the long term.