The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, effective July 22nd, 2025, amend Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 concerning animal transport.
The amendments specifically address the handling of chickens (Gallus gallus) and turkeys, modifying the prohibition on lifting birds by their legs, whilst introducing new rules regarding lifting and carrying based on weight.
The regulations were developed after consultation with relevant stakeholders and apply across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Arguments For
Improved Animal Welfare: The amendments aim to improve the welfare of chickens and turkeys during transport by clarifying and adjusting the rules on how these birds can be handled, potentially reducing injuries.
Practicality for Farmers: The modifications may reflect the practical realities of handling specific poultry breeds, making transportation processes more efficient and less stressful for both farmers and birds. They may also reflect industry best practices.
Legal Compliance with EU Regulations: The changes align UK law with existing EU animal welfare standards, ensuring that UK legislation is current and consistent with these standards (though noting Brexit implications may differ based on future UK legislation).
Economic Considerations: While not explicitly stated, improvements to animal welfare could potentially lead to reduced mortality and improved product quality, offering economic benefits to the poultry industry.
Arguments Against
Potential for Misinterpretation and Abuse: The more specific rules on handling could be misinterpreted or misused, leading to potential harm despite the intention to improve welfare.
Enforcement Challenges: Ensuring consistent and effective enforcement of the new, more nuanced rules across the entire poultry transportation sector may present significant challenges.
Insufficient Scope: The amendments may not adequately address all welfare concerns related to poultry transport. Other aspects of poultry transport beyond handling methods may require further consideration.
Unintended Consequences: New regulations can have unpredictable effects; it's prudent to monitor the impact of these changes closely to identify and mitigate any unintended negative consequences.
- Citation, commencement and extent (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025. (2) These Regulations come into force on 22nd July 2025. (3) These Regulations extend to England, Wales and Scotland.
This section establishes the title, effective date (July 22, 2025), and geographical scope (England, Wales, and Scotland) of the regulations.
The title clarifies that the document amends existing regulations on animal welfare during transportation.
- Amendment of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 (1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations is amended as follows. (2) In Annex 1, in Chapter 3 (technical rules: transport practices), at the end of paragraph 1.8 insert— “The prohibition in point (d) on lifting the animals by the legs does not apply to birds of the species Gallus gallus or turkeys. In the case of birds of the species Gallus gallus, and turkeys weighing 5kg or less, it is prohibited to catch, lift or carry any such bird by taking hold of or holding its legs unless both of its legs are taken hold of or held at the same time. In the case of turkeys weighing more than 5kg, it is prohibited to lift or carry any such bird in an inverted position, whether by holding the bird by the legs or otherwise.”
This section details the specific amendments made to Annex 1 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005.
The amendments remove the ban on lifting chickens and turkeys by their legs, but add new stipulations.
Chickens and turkeys weighing 5kg or less can only be lifted by holding both legs simultaneously.
Turkeys heavier than 5kg cannot be lifted or carried upside down, regardless of whether the legs are used.
EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations amend Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations (EUR 2005/1). Regulation 2 amends Annex 1 to Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 to exclude birds of the species Gallus gallus and turkeys from the prohibition in paragraph 1.8(d) of Chapter 3 (technical rules: transport practices) on the lifting of animals by the legs. It also makes alternative provision in relation to catching, lifting and carrying of birds of the species Gallus gallus and turkeys. A full impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business, the voluntary sector and the public sector is available on legislation.gov.uk and from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1 4DF.
The explanatory note summarizes the regulations.
It clarifies that the key change is the exemption of chickens and turkeys from the ban on lifting by the legs, including new specified rules for handling and carrying these birds, and points readers to a full impact assessment.