TheBritish Poultry
Councilhas warned against speculation on the
content of a Farm Animal Welfare Committee (FAWC) report due to be
published in October.
Over the last two weeks there has been media speculation,
including the BBC's Farming Today, concerning the content of the
Farm Animal Welfare Council's
(FAWC) report on the welfare of poultry at slaughter. It was
sparked by
comments made by the committee chairman at the recent FAWC Open
Meeting held in London.
At the meeting, while not revealing the recommendations in the
report, committee chairman David Henderson outlined in some detail
the welfare concerns that the group expressed while reviewing the
evidence. Evidence comprised of published papers, visits to plants
and discussions with experts and the industry.
The British Poultry Council stressed that BPC members had been
involved with Bristol University over a number of years, in joint
research on bird welfare in both electrical and gas stunning
systems and have implemented several welfare improvements resulting
from this work.
Commenting on the media stories, Peter Bradnock, BPC chief
executive, said: "It is not helpful to have this amount of
premature comment and speculation. What is important is to see what
FAWC are actually saying in the report and on what scientific basis
they are saying it.
"Consumers would be better informed after all organisations
involved have had a chance to objectively consider the FAWC report,
when it is eventually published. That consideration, rather than
premature comment, should be the basis for the future of poultry
slaughter methods.
"British Poultry Council will be studying the recommendations
made by FAWC and will be looking at what action is necessary with
our members and with researchers. We will also be considering it in
the context of the EU Commission's proposals to amend the existing
EU welfare at slaughter regulations."
