The Animal Law Foundation is set to face the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in the High Court in early February 2026, challenging the government’s decision to remove a legal protection that prohibited the handling of chickens by their legs. The case will be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice and relates to amendments made to an EU-derived welfare rule that previously applied in the UK.
Until July 2025, European Transport Regulation 1/2005 made it illegal to lift chickens by their legs during transport and related operations. The Animal Law Foundation argues that, despite this, the practice continued to be permitted under government Codes of Practice for laying hens and meat chickens. After the charity challenged the codes, the government amended the law via a Statutory Instrument, which came into force on 22 July 2025, removing the prohibition. The Foundation claims the consultation that led to the change was unfair, alleging the government had a predetermined outcome. The High Court has agreed there is an arguable case.
Defra acknowledged during the consultation that there is strong evidence upright catching is better for chicken welfare, but raised concerns about feasibility and cost in commercial settings. Most respondents to the consultation (59%) did not support the proposed changes. Following the law change, the House of Lords issued a scrutiny report highlighting concerns about non-compliance in the chicken industry, limited enforcement of welfare rules and uncertainty over future compliance.