Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2000 (S.R. 2000 No. 270) to implement Council Directive 2007/43/EC laying down minimum rules for the protection of chickens kept for meat production (OJ No L 182, 12.7.07, p 19).

The amendments to the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2000 are as follows.

Regulation 2 (definitions and interpretation provision) is amended, including the insertion a definition of “conventionally reared meat chicken” (which covers chickens kept for meat production, except for those on holdings with fewer than 500 chickens or with only breeding stocks; which are on hatcheries, or which are barn reared, free range or organically-produced) (regulation 2).

Regulation 5B (additional duties on owners and keepers) is added to provide that owners and keepers of conventionally reared meat chickens are required to comply with a new Schedule 3E (regulation 4).

Schedule 1 (general conditions under which farmed animals must be kept) is amended to include provisions relating to conventionally reared meat chickens (regulation 5).

Schedule 3D has been amended to remove the date the derogation on beak trimming of poultry that are intended to become laying hens, shall end. The Regulations make further provision about the procedures which may be carried out in the case of conventionally reared meat chickens and laying hens (including chicks that are intended to become laying hens).

A new Schedule 3E is added, which sets out additional conditions that relate to conventionally reared meat chickens (regulation 6).

Regulation 13 of the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 contains offences relating to the contravention of, or non-compliance with, the Regulations.