Broiler Hens

EDM number 862 in 1992-93, proposed by Andrew Bowden on 17/11/1992.

That this House expresses its dismay at the serious welfare problems of intensively reared broilers; notes that such broilers spend their short lives of six to seven weeks in huge windowless sheds, often containing tens of thousands of birds; notes that as the birds grow larger the sheds become extremely overcrowded, with each bird having a space smaller than the cover of a telephone directory to live on; is appalled that many broilers suffer from lameness and painful leg deformities as, due to modern breeding and rearing practices, they grow too quickly for their legs to support their weight; is concerned at the use of growth-promoting drugs; and calls for urgent legislation to secure improved welfare standards for broilers.

This motion has been signed by a total of 82 MPs.