The Welsh Assembly Government has agreed a maximum stocking density of 39kg per m² for meat chickens in Wales.
The decision relates to a new European Council Directive. This gives Member States the option to allow producers meeting specific welfare standards to stock meat chickens up to a maximum density of 42kg per m².
Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones has decided not to take up the option but to set a maximum stocking density of 39kg per m².
Directive 2007/43 regarding the welfare of meat chickens lays down EU wide welfare standards. It sets conditions for the keeping of chickens for meat production from the time chicks are brought to production sites until they leave for slaughter.
The Welsh Assembly Government consulted stakeholders between April and July 2009 on options for implementing the Directive in Wales.
There is currently no legal maximum stocking density limit for conventionally reared meat chickens in domestic legislation. It is therefore possible for producers to operate at any stocking density providing bird welfare is maintained.
A maximum stocking density of 39kg/m² will set a level playing field for chicken producers whilst complimenting existing assurance schemes. It means that those producers who do not belong to an assurance scheme will have to comply with a maximum stocking density figure.
The imbalance between domestic producers will thus diminish.
