PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS REGULATION 2012 - REG 12 Determination of average weight of laying fowls in more than 30 cages for purposes of clauses 10 and 11

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS REGULATION 2012 - REG 12

12 Determination of average weight of laying fowls in more than 30 cages for purposes of clauses 10 and 11

(cf clause 17J 2006 Reg)

(1) For the purposes of clauses 10 and 11, if laying fowl are kept in more than 30 cages at any premises, the minimum floor area of those cages is to be determined on the basis of average flock weight, rather than on the basis of the average weight of the fowl in the individual cages. Accordingly, a reference in those clauses to the average weight of laying fowl in a cage is to be read as a reference to the average flock weight.

(2)
"Average flock weight" is the average weight per fowl of all fowl in all the cages concerned, determined in a manner that follows the procedures for counting and weighing set out in the National Guidelines for RSPCA Inspectors for the Inspection of Layer Hen Cages , which is included in the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals--Domestic Poultry , 3rd edition, issued by the Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand.

Note : The Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals--Domestic Poultry is now in its 4th edition. However, the National Guidelines for RSPCA Inspectors for the Inspection of Layer Hen Cages do not appear in that edition. Copies of the Guidelines are available from the Department.