European Union Lawmakers on Tuesday Called for Chickens Raised for Meat Production to be Kept in Better Conditions

This could set a standard for the US. We’ll see what will happen. I’d say at the very least these could easily be implemented. Here’s a quick synopsis of what they’re asking for. Not much really:

Sufficient ventilation, regular feeding times, permanent access to water, minimal noise, dry litter, twice daily inspections, birds to be housed in less crowded conditions and urged the EU member states to ban practices such as beak trimming and castration of male chickens.

EU Wants Better Life for Chickens

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060214/

ap_on_re_eu/eu_chicken_farms

European Union lawmakers on Tuesday called for chickens raised for meat production to be kept in better conditions and asked the EU executive to standardize penalties for poultry farmers who do not comply with the rules.

The European Parliament said sufficient ventilation, regular feeding times, permanent access to water, minimal noise, dry litter and twice daily inspections should be provided at all chicken farms. It also called for birds to be housed in less crowded conditions and urged the EU member states to ban practices such as beak trimming and castration of male chickens.

National authorities should carry out unannounced spot checks to enforce the rules, the Parliament said.

"A majority of birds are raised in large insulated barns and exposed to near permanent artificial light to encourage constant eating. Barren environment and high stocking density also grossly restrict the bird's exploratory behavior," said the Eurogroup for Animal Welfare, a Brussels-based animal welfare group. "Minimum standards for broiler chickens are desperately required. Without minimum standards, extensive and unnecessary suffering takes place."