The Greens are accusing Labour of weakening animal welfare (Image: Getty)

       The Green Party has gone to war with Labour over a new animal welfare law that changes how farm workers can hold chickens. The niche row was sparked when the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced a change to the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations, which would permit chickens to be lifted by both legs together, along with turkeys up to 5kg.

       The existing code already allowed for the handling of animals this way, but EU regulations created a potential legal inconsistency. Despite expert advice allowing it, 69% of respondents in a consultation objected and demanded that all poultry be carried upright, though industry groups prefer the leg-catching on the grounds it shortens catch times and makes workers’ jobs easier. The Green Party’s co-leader Adrian Ramsay is now leading a charge to block the change, sparking mockery from the Tories.

       Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

       The Shoe That is Quietly Taking Over Men’s ClosetsBreathable uppers and marathon running shoe technology...Wolf & Shepherd | Sponsored Sponsored

       Shop Now

       Undo

       Read more: Green council forced to ditch ‘mad’ bin collection scheme after backlash

       The Tories' Victoria Atkins mocked the Left-wing spat (Image: Getty)

       Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins joked: “You couldn’t make it up. As people are worrying about job cuts, higher taxes, a crashing economy, the family farm tax and record levels of small boat crossings, Labour is arguing with the Greens on how to carry a chicken.

       "Whilst we wait for the socialists to stop winging it and finally decide how to handle a bird without ruffling feathers, we can all see that they are running out of ideas.

       Powered By

       00:00/01:51

       10 Sec

       18.3K

       1

       'Retro' technology gets put to the test by Tech Expert

       Next

       Stay

       “There's much more than chickens that they need to learn how to grip."

       Sponsored

       Wolf & Shepherd | Sponsored Sponsored

       Shop Now

       The Shoe That is Quietly Taking Over Men’s Closets

       Undo

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       Reform UK council becomes first in country to scrap net zero targets

       56 Comments

       PMQs LIVE: Kemi Badenoch to have huge Commons clash with Keir Starmer

       93 Comments

       Kemi Badenoch tears Keir Starmer to shreds over rising inflation: ‘He doesn't get it!'

       89 Comments

       Latest blow for Farage as another prominent figure quits Reform UK

       525 Comments

       Rachel Reeves blamed as food prices soar in nightmare for shoppers

       35 Comments

       Nigel Farage can smash The Blob's grip - here's how Reform UK can do what others failed

       81 Comments

       Rachel Reeves inflation economy chaos sparks calls for action - 'this will only get worse'

       30 Comments

       Rachel Reeves torn apart over 'massive tax rises' after major speech

       92 Comments

       Martin Lewis says BBC and ITV won't be happy as Rachel Reeves '30 minutes' late for speech

       12 Comments

       Martin Lewis says consumers 'sold down the river' as compensation rates cut

       2 Comments

       Full list of Rachel Reeves' Leeds Reforms including bank accounts and mortgages

       64 Comments

       The one thing Rachel Reeves must do to reignite the economy

       14 Comments

       Rachel Reeves takes major gamble as her future hangs in the balance

       161 Comments

       Could Britain be about to get a digital pound?

       10 Comments

       The Dress Shoe that Conquered ComfortWolf & Shepherd | Sponsored Sponsored

       Order Now

       Undo

       Huge ￡189m crackdown on UK's filthy waterways

       Comments

       Angela Rayner workers' rights laws 'mean lower pay and more strikes'

       30 Comments

       High Speed Internet for Seniors at low rates worth switchingHigh-Speed Wi-Fi Internet Deal | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Martin Lewis' MSE issues ‘check now' alert to claim ￡2,000 compensation

       4 Comments

       Keir Starmer starts political bloodbath as MPs kicked out over 'persistent knobheadery'

       279 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Clash over disability benefits: Liz Kendall and MP spar over consultation process

       Comments

       Liz Kendall warns benefits bill must still come down after Labour rebels blocked cuts

       1 Comments

       Experts urge Seniors With Memory Loss To Take This Key Nutrient Dailygreeneatsonly | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Reform UK council becomes first in country to scrap net zero targets

       56 Comments

       PMQs LIVE: Kemi Badenoch to have huge Commons clash with Keir Starmer

       93 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do you do it?greeneatsonly | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Kemi Badenoch tears Keir Starmer to shreds over rising inflation: ‘He doesn't get it!'

       89 Comments

       Latest blow for Farage as another prominent figure quits Reform UK

       525 Comments

       Medical Mystery Solved: Dementia and Memory Loss Has Been Linked To This...Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Rachel Reeves blamed as food prices soar in nightmare for shoppers

       35 Comments

       Nigel Farage can smash The Blob's grip - here's how Reform UK can do what others failed

       81 Comments

       The most accurate CGM for confident decisions in the moment.Dexcom | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Rachel Reeves inflation economy chaos sparks calls for action - 'this will only get worse'

       30 Comments

       Rachel Reeves torn apart over 'massive tax rises' after major speech

       92 Comments

       The Shoe That is Quietly Taking Over Men’s ClosetsWolf & Shepherd | Sponsored Sponsored

       Shop Now

       Undo

       Martin Lewis says BBC and ITV won't be happy as Rachel Reeves '30 minutes' late for speech

       12 Comments

       Martin Lewis says consumers 'sold down the river' as compensation rates cut

       2 Comments

       LAS VEGAS: She Lives Alone in a Shed – What You See Inside Gets Under Your...Tips and Tricks | Sponsored Sponsored

       Undo

       Full list of Rachel Reeves' Leeds Reforms including bank accounts and mortgages

       64 Comments

       The one thing Rachel Reeves must do to reignite the economy

       14 Comments

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It?Memory Health | Sponsored Sponsored

       Learn More

       Undo

       Rachel Reeves takes major gamble as her future hangs in the balance

       161 Comments

       Could Britain be about to get a digital pound?

       10 Comments

       Huge ￡189m crackdown on UK's filthy waterways

       Comments

       Angela Rayner workers' rights laws 'mean lower pay and more strikes'

       30 Comments

       Martin Lewis' MSE issues ‘check now' alert to claim ￡2,000 compensation

       4 Comments

       Keir Starmer starts political bloodbath as MPs kicked out over 'persistent knobheadery'

       279 Comments

       Clash over disability benefits: Liz Kendall and MP spar over consultation process

       Comments

       Liz Kendall warns benefits bill must still come down after Labour rebels blocked cuts

       1 Comments

       Reform UK council becomes first in country to scrap net zero targets

       56 Comments

       PMQs LIVE: Kemi Badenoch to have huge Commons clash with Keir Starmer

       93 Comments

       Kemi Badenoch tears Keir Starmer to shreds over rising inflation: ‘He doesn't get it!'

       89 Comments

       Latest blow for Farage as another prominent figure quits Reform UK

       525 Comments

       Rachel Reeves blamed as food prices soar in nightmare for shoppers

       35 Comments

       Nigel Farage can smash The Blob's grip - here's how Reform UK can do what others failed

       81 Comments

       Rachel Reeves inflation economy chaos sparks calls for action - 'this will only get worse'

       30 Comments

       Experts urge Seniors With Memory Loss To Tak...greeneatsonly

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habi...greeneatsonly

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Medical Mystery Solved: Dementia and Memor...Memory Health

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       The most accurate CGM for confident decision...Dexcom

       Undo

       by Taboola by Taboola

       Sponsored Links Sponsored Links

       Promoted Links Promoted Links

       Trending

       Mr Ramsay insisted that the change amounts to an attempt by the Government to “quietly weaken animal welfare standards”, trying to restore an “outdated industry practice”.

       He added: “I want our animal protection laws to be improved, not stripped back further. If handling methods widely used on farms don’t meet welfare standards, then they need to be improved, not made legal because enforcement has failed.

       “I will be working with MPs across the House to oppose this statutory instrument and stand up for stronger, not weaker, protections for farmed animals."

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

       Read Next