The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) today reassured consumers that all British chicken is reared to the highest welfare standards.
On Monday (26 January 2009), a new programme featuring chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is set to air, looking at chicken welfare.
The NFU has made its own film showing footage of NFU poultry board vice chairman Nigel Joyce touring a farm where indoor-reared birds are kept.
NFU poultry board chairman Charles Bourns said: “British chicken producers do a great job in providing consumers with the things they want to eat, affordable products reared to high standards of animal welfare whatever farming system is used.”
“This new film helps show the industry at work, rearing chickens, and we will continue to work hard to meet consumer demands.
“We as British farmers will also ensure that consumers, whatever their budget, have birds reared to the highest welfare standards.”
Sainsbury’s this week said it will become the first major supermarket to stop selling eggs from battery hens.
The NFU said that more information on how chickens are reared can be found on the Great British Chicken website.
