Welfare Of Broiler Chickens

EDM number 292 in 1995-96, proposed by Alan Meale on 17/01/1996.

That this House congratulates Compassion in World Farming Trust on their report which exposes the extensive suffering routinely experienced by broiler chickens; is concerned that the vast majority of the 670 million broiler chickens slaughtered annually in the United Kingdom are reared intensively indoors in darkened, overcrowded sheds; is further concerned that the birds are forced to grow so quickly through selective breeding and rich diets that their legs cannot support their massive bodies with the result that each year around 180 million broilers suffer from painful, sometimes crippling leg problems; concurs with Professor John Webster of Bristol University that the chronic pain suffered by many broilers must constitute the single most extreme example of man's inhumanity to another sentient creature; and urges Her Majesty's Government to introduce legislation to safeguard the welfare of broiler chickens.

This motion has been signed by a total of 100 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.