Cordelia Britton
The Court of Appeal has granted our appeal against the Government over the use of Frankenchickens.
Three years ago, we embarked on a journey that we hoped would end the use of fast-growing breeds of chicken, called Frankenchickens, in the UK. When we lost the case earlier this year, we vowed we wouldn’t give up. And today we’ve been granted another chance.
Often described as a nation of animal lovers, the use of fast-growing breeds of chicken is a stain on our national conscience.
These fast-growing breeds, who we call Frankenchickens due to their unnatural size, suffer from a host of health and welfare issues, such as heart attacks, lameness, green muscle disease, hock burns and organ failure.
The case for us is clear; this shouldn’t be happening.
The law states that animals cannot be farmed if their genetics cause health and welfare problems. Yet these painful and often fatal conditions that chickens raised for meat suffer from are a result of growing too fast and too big in order to produce as much meat as possible in the shortest time.
The law should protect these animals, and we’ve been fighting for three years to prove that Frankenchickens are illegal.
And today our appeal has been granted, meaning we’re taking the Government back to court. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“The court only grants an appeal if there is a very real prospect of success, and we are thrilled our legal challenge will have this final day in court. What hangs in the balance are the lives of one billion thinking feeling chickens who are forced to endure the cruellest practice in modern farming. Fast-growing Frankenchickens, whose short lives are plagued by illness, suffering and despair, have been let down by the law.”
Sean Gifford, Managing Director
Update December 2024: In the final hearing the judges ruled in favour on our main argument - that the law says that animals should not be kept in the UK if it means they will suffer because of how they have been bred. However, the case was dismissed and Defra were let off-the-hook based on technicalities. Read more here.
We know that the UK public cares about animals, we know that they want to be proud of the way we farm and produce our food. That’s why we know you’ll stand with us as we continue this relentless fight.
If you want to help end suffering, please join us and take action for animals.
