Disposal of spent hens: options evaluation

Producer Feedback

Introduction

25. Four Scottish based large scale egg producers and one specialist egg producer were consulted for their input into this research.

26. Except for the specialist egg producer, all the remaining producers achieved the RSPCA Assurance Standard.

27. The number of laying hens per egg producer varied from 100,000 up to over 1 million birds. The largest producers spread production over several farm units. Some of these were owned and managed by the producers themselves while at the same time, they also purchased eggs from external farmer suppliers. The relationships with external farmers suppliers were often longstanding.

Catching, transport, processing and markets

28. Four out of the five producers interviewed said they send either all or a high percentage of their spent hens for slaughter to Bradford. Three producers also mentioned using the Gainsborough facility. One producer noted they had used another abattoir in Norwich in the past, but it had recently lost its RSPCA certification.

29. Typically, a producer will contact the abattoirs to arrange for spent hen catching and collection. The abattoir covers all costs, and a small payment is made to the producers for the hens. The prices paid were reported between 4p to 10p per bird. Distance is an issue, so the abattoirs prefer as much lead time as possible. Prior to collection, the abattoirs will notify the farm of the collection arrangements and time. Timing is varied to enable faster travel and avoid extreme weather. Other factors are considered to maximise bird welfare, e.g. stocking densities to keep livestock warmer or cooler depending on the weather. The markets for slaughtered spent hens vary. They include food service, export (particularly brown meat), ingredients for soups and petfood. The limited halal processing capacity in this supply chain restricts some access to this market.

30. Transit times ranged from around 4 hours from Southern Scotland to 12 hours maximum from Northeast Scotland. Heavy traffic can increase journey duration. As a proxy measure for welfare on transport, ‘Dead on Arrival’ (DOA) figures are recorded and fed back to producers. If DOA figures are over 0.5%, an investigation is carried out. The producers’ experience is that the 0.5% level of DOA is rarely breached, no matter the transport time. The data is also shared with retailers. One abattoir noted that some of the best birds come from Northeast Scotland because of their excellent condition prior to travel. This suggests bird welfare and condition prior to travel may be a key factor.

31. For producers who are RSPCA certified, there was common agreement that compliance with a 4-hour transport time to the abattoir would be impossible, apart from some farms located in Southern Scotland. The 8-hour timeframe is more practical. The RSPCA assurance was generally recognised as helpful to the farmers as it gives them independent verification of good standards and linked market access.

Alternative processing options

32. There was little knowledge of how other parts of the world dealt with transport and disposal. Suggestions put forward included the use of incineration or using spent hens as a feedstock for AD plants. There was some concern these options might be viewed negatively by consumers, as it was a waste of high-quality protein. Additional comments were that the existing UK abattoirs require Scottish volumes to remain in business and margins are very low. The current Scottish volume was important to maintain the existing infrastructure.

33. A reduction in travel time will require the construction of a new spent hen abattoir which would add substantial cost to the supply chain. Producers expressed concerns that there would not be enough local volume to make a disposal plant viable in Scotland. A joint venture involving broilers and hens was considered a possibility, but this is not common practice and finding a location could be challenging. Any new facility would require to be distant from residential areas and have appropriate drainage/sewage infrastructure.

34. Producers were wary of investing in their own disposal plant. The commercial proposition would need to be evaluated for co-investing; addressing issues around the scale of investment, risk, prospects for success, board influence, project feasibility (e.g. planning and SEPA consent) and ensuring there is enough capacity that fits with the needs of the industry as is currently the case.

35. Despite the obvious challenges, three out of the five interviewed mentioned that they are open to participating in collective discussions regarding workable options for spent hens if a shorter journey time was imposed. Another potential issue was the imposition of restrictions due to extreme weather (very hot or very cold). In these circumstances an industry approach towards achieving a practical alternative would need to be found. In addition to the individual businesses interviewed, the British Free Range Egg Producers Association raised these concerns as well.

36. Other areas in the UK distant from the abattoirs, such as Southwest England, are facing similar issues.

Producers’ views on RSPCA scheme and the strengths of the Scottish sector

37. The producers feel most retailers would wish to maintain the RSPCA scheme, which in turn puts the supply chain under pressure to comply. Likewise, the producers would like to retain the scheme but there are other areas proposed in the new guidelines that would add cost without any perceivable benefit. There was a general view that the sector would prefer to see increased consultation regarding any proposed changes to the standard from the RSPCA and greater account taken of their concerns and production expertise. The sector has therefore welcomed the opportunity for further discussions with the RSPCA, which is likely to take place in the summer of 2024, before new standards are introduced.

38. Producers felt that Scotland has several natural advantages for increased egg and broiler production. For example biosecurity can be more straightforward to manage due to more sparsely located bird/flock populations. Lower poultry population densities (compared to England) also assist with the application of poultry manure which can be spread more sustainability across different water catchment areas. These natural advantages could be more actively promoted.