Whats the problem with organic poultry?
The Soil Association says chicken farmers should limit capacity in their sheds to 500 birds, but it still certifies farms with up to 2,000 birds per shed. It also allows mechanisation in brooding and hatching, and chicks can be reared from non-organic broods. Beak trimming, to prevent birds pecking each other, is also permitted. Critics say this practice is only necessary when birds are under stress. How does the Soil Association respond? It admits that its standards on salmon farming and poultry involve the most compromise. But it insists it is sticking to principles of sustainable farming and that it continues to raise the quality of food in the public’s interest. It claims that organic salmon farms are much better for the environment and are necessary given the depletion of ocean fish stocks. On poultry, it says its standards are getting tougher. For example, it is trying to phase out beak trimming in organic farms. What do the supermarkets say? They deny putting pressure on the ass
