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Animal Welfare

Asked by Ian RoomeLiberal DemocratDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 14 July 2026UIN 17121

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to implement the findings of the December 2024 Court of Appeal ruling on animal welfare practices that breach the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007.

Answered by Stephen Morgan

The judicial review challenge relating to the legality of keeping fast-growing breeds of meat chickens was unanimously dismissed by the Court of Appeal. The Court made no declaration that the keeping of fast-growing breeds of meat chickens was unlawful and did not find Defra's policies or enforcement approach to be unlawful. The Government continues to keep animal welfare legislation and its implementation under review and remains committed to maintaining and improving animal welfare standards.

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