SELECTIVE BREEDING OF CHICKENS

Early day motion 1378, tabled 23 May 2002 by Greg Pope (Labour). Signed by 37 members.

That this House notes with concern the creation of a featherless chicken by a geneticist in Israel; further notes that the selective breeding of the chicken has been carried out with a view to increasing profitability and convenience in factory farming and believes that this raises major ethical questions for scientists; feels sure that the majority of British people will be appalled by such wanton disregard of farm animals' well-being; believes that the welfare of animals should be placed at the heart of farming; and urges the Government to prohibit the development of featherless chickens in the United Kingdom and to discourage the selective breeding of farm animals which leads to ill health or pain or prevents the animals from carrying out their natural behaviour.

Signatures by party: Labour 25, Liberal Democrat 7, Labour/Co-operative 3, Conservative 1, UUP 1.