ISPCA calls for clear label on chickens

THE IRISH Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) has called for clear labelling on chickens so that consumers know how they have been reared before they make a purchase.

Most standard chickens, which are raised intensively indoors in Ireland, are kept at a density of 35kg per square metre which is assured by Bord Bia.

The density is lower than the EU maximum allowed of 38kg per square metre.

However, it falls short of the Freedom Food scheme in the UK, monitored by the RSPCA, which sets a minimum standard of 30kg per square metre.

The lower density helps prevent lameness, hock burn and heat stress experienced by more intensively raised chickens.

CEO of the ISPCA Mark Beazley said people need to know what they are buying when they look at labelling on chicken.

“We need to see plain and factual packaging being used; a label with an image of a chicken on grass is disingenuous if the chicken is reared indoors. People need to make an educated and informed choice when they are buying chicken.”

Ned Morrissey, chairman of the Irish Farmers’ Association poultry committee, said the IFA would support a call for clearer labelling.

He said the drive for change in standards in the industry needed to come from the consumer.

The Freedom Food scheme does not operate in Ireland. However, there are moves by some producers toward rasing standards

Vincent Carton, managing director of the country’s largest poultry producer Manor Farm, said their corn-fed birds are being raised indoors at the same density as the RSPCA recommends. The birds are less expensive than free range or organic and cost about 52 cent more per kilogram than a standard bird. They also exceed other requirements laid down by the RSPCA.

“We have asked Bord Bia to come up with a similar standard to “Freedom Food” so that we can display it on our products, we hope it will happen soon,” he said.

The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has called for donations following a fire at its shelter on Sunday. A barn at the Rathfarnham shelter containing feed and bedding for the society’s equine stock for the year ahead was destroyed.

Donations can be made online at www.dspca.ie or by calling 01-4935502.