Skip to main content

Written question asked by Lord Trees (Crossbench) on Thursday, 11 June 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 25 June 2026. It was answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour) on Monday, 22 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.


Poultry: Animal Welfare

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to providing financial support for the introduction of egg sexing technologies to help prevent the culling of male chicks in the egg industry.

Answer

As set out in the Animal Welfare Strategy for England (see attached), this Government is committed to encouraging industry to end the practice of male chick culling. While there are no current plans to provide direct financial support for the introduction of egg sexing technologies, Defra has funded research into dual breed chicken use which removes the need to kill male chicks.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL900
Session
2026-27
Attachment
Animal Welfare Strategy
Subjects
Animal welfare Eggs Poultry
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk