𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Dame Joanna Lumley has demanded an end to a “cruel practice” which sees 45 million chicks killed every year in the UK. The actress joins naturalist Chris Packham and more than 50 politicians who have signed an open letter calling on the Government to ban male chick culling and switch to technology that identifies the sex before the egg hatches as part of the upcoming animal welfare strategy.

An estimated 45 million male chicks are killed each year shortly after they are born under a practice known as “hatch and dispatch” because they cannot lay eggs and are not suitable for meat production. Dame Joanna said: “Around 45 million male chicks per year are killed within just hours of being born, all because they are viewed as ‘waste’. We must end this cruel practice now.

“I support this important campaign and it’s easy to lend your support too. Search ‘ban hatch and dispatch’ and please sign the petition today to spare these male chicks from an unnecessary and wasteful loss of life.”

The open letter warns that the practice is “unnecessary and incompatible with the UK’s values and reputation as a nation that cares deeply about the welfare of animals”.

The letter adds: “This is a crucial opportunity to reaffirm the UK’s place as a world

leader in animal welfare, a title that is currently very much at risk.

“A clear commitment to ending male chick culling and transitioning to in-ovo sexing technology would confirm that the UK remains at the forefront of global efforts to build a food system based not only on efficiency, but on compassion and integrity.”

In-ovo sexing technology – which is already widely used in countries including France, Germany and the Netherlands – allows the sex of chicks to be identified while they are still in the egg.

Other signatories to the open letter include TV vet Dr Marc Abraham, comedian Dave Spikey and 53 MPs, peers and MSPs from across the political spectrum.

Richard McIlwain, CEO of the Vegetarian Society, said: “This is a pivotal moment for the Government to prove its commitment to animal welfare.

“The technology to end male chick culling is ready and already working in other countries.

“Including a ban in the animal welfare strategy would not only bring the UK in line with international best practice, but also reflect the overwhelming public expectation for change. It’s time to leave this outdated practice behind.”

Labour MP Irene Campbell, who led a debate in Parliament on the issue last month, insisted that male chick culling “has no place in the UK”.

She added: “The public are firmly against this cruel practice, and we must live true to our values as a nation of animal lovers and transition to a kinder, more sustainable alternative.

“The upcoming animal welfare strategy is a chance to put this right. I hope to see a commitment to end male chick culling and transition to in-ovo sexing technology as part of this upcoming strategy.”

Recent research commissioned by the Vegetarian Society found that 76% of Brits would pay more to switch to eggs from farms which do not cull male chicks if they were available.

A Defra spokesperson said: “This government wants to see the highest possible standards of animal welfare. We are carefully considering the issue of routine male chick culling.”

Click here to sign the petition