Factory chicken farming.

Thank you for writing to me concerning factory chicken farming.

I am aware of the legal challenge that was brought forward by River Action concerning pollution in the River Wye.

I would like to assure you that my Welsh Conservative colleagues and I take issues of animal welfare and the environment very seriously. In 2020, the Welsh Conservatives called for the Welsh Government to consider imposing a temporary moratorium on new intensive poultry units around the River Wye due to concerns over phosphate levels.

The UK Government is also committed to exploring the phasing out of confinement systems, however it is recognised that work must be done carefully and sensitively with the pig and poultry industries, given the significant challenges currently faced by both.

I am encouraged that 64% of eggs from British hens are now from free-range systems, and a number of major supermarkets have pledged to stop selling eggs from hens in colony cages by 2025.

I thank you again for taking the time to contact me.