Designed to “safeguard and enhance the welfare of animals”, the statutory guidance is now in place.
The welfare code was updated using advice from vets and animal husbandry developments.
Minister for animal welfare Lord Gardiner said: “We have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and are going further in a number of areas, including by raising maximum sentences for animal cruelty to five years and introducing mandatory CCTV in abattoirs.
“This code was carefully consulted on with industry experts, and uses the most recent scientific and veterinary advice to ensure this clear guidance provides the best advice to owners and keepers to help ensure and enhance the high welfare standards of their animals.”
The updated code includes guidance to reflect new regulations, including specific provisions on staff training, stocking density, and follow-up at slaughterhouses.
Máire Burnett, technical director at the British Poultry Council, welcomed the updated code: “We welcome the new statutory code of practice for welfare of meat chickens and meat breeding chickens that reflects the high welfare standards followed by British poultry meat farmers, breeders and veterinarians. The new code is intended to help all those who care for meat chickens and meat breeding chickens to practise good biosecurity and maintain welfare standards required to comply with legislation.
“The British poultry meat sector is committed to continuous improvement and will carry on following welfare science as it progresses. We look forward to continue working with Defra to further enhance welfare codes for turkeys and ducks to reflect industry best practice.”
The code will be used by enforcement bodies, including Animal and Plant Health Agency inspectors and local authorities when investigating allegations of poor welfare, to look at whether animal welfare standards are being met.