AN egg farmer has reacted with astonishment after Peta opposed his plans to open a free range egg farm.
Robert Wilson said his plans met the highest animal welfare standards possible.
Yet Peta has lodged an objection to the new free range production facility at his farm in Abernethy in Perth and Kinross, Scotland.
The project will see the creation of a new shed for up to 32,000 chickens and Mr Wilson said he has planned to house them n the best possible conditions.
He said: “I can’t understand why a petition by animal rights campaigners was set up against my plan, when free range eggs and the Freedom Foods standards are exactly what they have campaigned for.
“The birds will be cared for under the RSPCA Freedom Foods welfare standards, which is the highest free range egg standard in Europe, if not the world.”
He added that rather than being kept in a “dark, filthy” shed, the chickens would have access to grass pasture and woodlands every day.
“If the weather is bad and they don’t want to head outside, there are lots of perches and scratching areas inside for the birds to enjoy,” he said.
“The UK egg market is growing and most of that growth is from the public demand for free range eggs.
“The public wish for higher welfare standards for all food production and this is exactly what my plans will provide.”
