Independent report

FAWC opinion on beak trimming of laying hens

Farm Animal Welfare Council advice to government on the implications for the welfare of laying hens of a proposed ban on beak trimming.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 17 November 2007

Documents

FAWC opinion on beak trimming of laying hens

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Details

FAWC advice to government that:

• in the light of current knowledge, and until other techniques can be shown to reduce consistently the likelihood of injurious pecking and its consequences, then beak trimming should be an allowable mutilation
• on the basis of limited experience to date and subject to further scientific confirmation under practical conditions, infrared beak treatment appears to be the treatment of choice should beak trimming of laying hens be considered necessary

You can read more about the work of the Farm Animal Welfare Committee.

Published 17 November 2007