RSPCA Assured temporarily pauses introduction of new laying hen standards

Published on : 15 Mar 2024

A new approach to how we work with members and the wider industry throughout the entire standards communication and implementation process is also being developed

RSPCA Assured has paused implementation of the new RSPCA welfare standards for laying hens for three months in response to feedback from members and the wider industry.

This means members can continue to use the current version of the standards, published in 2017, until 1 August 2024.

Kelly Grellier, interim chief operations officer at RSPCA Assured, said: “We firmly believe the new RSPCA welfare standards for laying hens will help deliver significant improvements to the lives of hens.

“However, we recognise the importance of taking the appropriate time to listen to our members and the industry so we can provide additional support and help them achieve these challenging standards.”

During the three-month pause, RSPCA Assured will work collaboratively with members and the wider industry to find practical solutions to the concerns they’ve raised.

RSPCA Assured will also share practical case studies from UK farms to provide guidance and real-life examples of how the standards can be applied and met.

A new approach to how we work with members and the wider industry throughout the entire standards communication and implementation process is also being developed.

“The standards will not be undergoing any further amendments,” Kelly continued. “However, this additional grace period will allow us time to fully honour the commitments we made to our members and the wider industry during our meeting on 22 January - and find a way to move forward positively and together.”

The pause follows RSPCA Assured’s announcement earlier this year that it would be making amendments to the scope and timing of the standards, in response to member and industry feedback.

These amendments included extending the timeline for natural daylight by one year to 1 January 2031, and removing the veranda requirement for refurbished and new member free-range systems. Whilst verandas were never required for existing free-range members, the RSPCA will be conducting a thorough review into the practicalities of achieving this in the future.

New, potential or existing RSPCA Assured members who are in need of support or advice about meeting the new laying hen standards can contact RSPCA Assured membership services via the RSPCA Assured website.