Australian Supermarkets Demand RSPCA Standards for Chickens
AUSTRALIA - Chicken growers across the country are having to make changes to their operations following the decision by the major supermarkets to only stock RSPCA accredited birds.
22 April 2014
2 minute read
According to ABC, president of the Queensland Chicken Meat Growers Association, Jodie Redcliffe says growers are happy to comply with the RSPCA standards, as long they are reimbursed for the extra costs.
Mrs Redcliffe and her husband raise 250,000 birds at a time or 1.3 million birds a year at their Wamuran property.
She says the new standards include the introduction of perches in the sheds, increased lighting, deeper litter and the provision of 'toys' for the birds.
"If the RSPCA regulations are coming in to improve bird welfare, we want to make sure that is the outcome we are going to have," she said.
"We also want consumers to understand having a higher welfare product, they are going to have to pay for it and make sure the farmer is the one that is receiving that cost benefit."
Jodie Redcliffe the new welfare measures could increase the cost of raising chickens by between 10 and 20 cents a bird.
