Latest news with #MartinVickers
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Carrying chickens by legs causes them pain, Green Party leader warns
The Government has planned to overturn an EU ban on catching and carrying poultry by their legs. But Green Party co-leader Mr Ramsay has called for animal welfare standards to be 'improved, not stripped back', as he urged ministers to halt their plans. He has tabled a 'prayer motion', calling for the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 to be 'annulled' before they come into force next week. The regulations set out that farmers will be able to catch and carry turkeys weighing 5kg or less and chickens by both legs, but not by one leg. The existing ban 'does not reflect long-standing policy on appropriate methods of 'catching' chickens set out in GB statutory guidance', according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Ministers' decision to change the law followed a consultation throughout Great Britain, which found 40% of respondents supported two-leg catching. The majority of these were 'poultry industry stakeholders' who 'did not consider two-leg catching to be directly detrimental to bird welfare'. Some industry stakeholders also 'confirmed that young turkeys (weighing 5kg or less) are routinely caught by two legs, while older heavier turkeys (weighing more than 5kg) are routinely caught upright, by a range of different methods'. But Mr Ramsay told the PA news agency: 'The Government's attempt to quietly weaken animal welfare standards for poultry is deeply troubling. 'After Defra cited this practice in its guidance, ministers are now attempting to restore outdated industry practices in law. 'Allowing chickens to be carried upside down by their legs causes injury, pain and unnecessary distress. 'I want our animal protection laws to be improved, not stripped back further. 'If handling methods widely used on farms don't meet welfare standards, then they need to be improved, not made legal because enforcement has failed.' His motion has received cross-party backing, including from Conservative MP for Brigg and Immingham Martin Vickers, his running mate in this year's Green Party leadership election Ellie Chowns, and Labour MP for North Ayrshire and Arran Irene Campbell.
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Carrying chickens by legs causes them pain, Green Party leader warns
The Government has planned to overturn an EU ban on catching and carrying poultry by their legs. But Green Party co-leader Mr Ramsay has called for animal welfare standards to be 'improved, not stripped back', as he urged ministers to halt their plans. He has tabled a 'prayer motion', calling for the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 to be 'annulled' before they come into force next week. The regulations set out that farmers will be able to catch and carry turkeys weighing 5kg or less and chickens by both legs, but not by one leg. The existing ban 'does not reflect long-standing policy on appropriate methods of 'catching' chickens set out in GB statutory guidance', according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Ministers' decision to change the law followed a consultation throughout Great Britain, which found 40% of respondents supported two-leg catching. The majority of these were 'poultry industry stakeholders' who 'did not consider two-leg catching to be directly detrimental to bird welfare'. Some industry stakeholders also 'confirmed that young turkeys (weighing 5kg or less) are routinely caught by two legs, while older heavier turkeys (weighing more than 5kg) are routinely caught upright, by a range of different methods'. But Mr Ramsay told the PA news agency: 'The Government's attempt to quietly weaken animal welfare standards for poultry is deeply troubling. 'After Defra cited this practice in its guidance, ministers are now attempting to restore outdated industry practices in law. 'Allowing chickens to be carried upside down by their legs causes injury, pain and unnecessary distress. 'I want our animal protection laws to be improved, not stripped back further. 'If handling methods widely used on farms don't meet welfare standards, then they need to be improved, not made legal because enforcement has failed.' His motion has received cross-party backing, including from Conservative MP for Brigg and Immingham Martin Vickers, his running mate in this year's Green Party leadership election Ellie Chowns, and Labour MP for North Ayrshire and Arran Irene Campbell.
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Carrying chickens by legs causes them pain, Green Party leader warns
The Government has planned to overturn an EU ban on catching and carrying poultry by their legs. But Green Party co-leader Mr Ramsay has called for animal welfare standards to be 'improved, not stripped back', as he urged ministers to halt their plans. He has tabled a 'prayer motion', calling for the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 to be 'annulled' before they come into force next week. The regulations set out that farmers will be able to catch and carry turkeys weighing 5kg or less and chickens by both legs, but not by one leg. The existing ban 'does not reflect long-standing policy on appropriate methods of 'catching' chickens set out in GB statutory guidance', according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Ministers' decision to change the law followed a consultation throughout Great Britain, which found 40% of respondents supported two-leg catching. The majority of these were 'poultry industry stakeholders' who 'did not consider two-leg catching to be directly detrimental to bird welfare'. Some industry stakeholders also 'confirmed that young turkeys (weighing 5kg or less) are routinely caught by two legs, while older heavier turkeys (weighing more than 5kg) are routinely caught upright, by a range of different methods'. But Mr Ramsay told the PA news agency: 'The Government's attempt to quietly weaken animal welfare standards for poultry is deeply troubling. 'After Defra cited this practice in its guidance, ministers are now attempting to restore outdated industry practices in law. 'Allowing chickens to be carried upside down by their legs causes injury, pain and unnecessary distress. 'I want our animal protection laws to be improved, not stripped back further. 'If handling methods widely used on farms don't meet welfare standards, then they need to be improved, not made legal because enforcement has failed.' His motion has received cross-party backing, including from Conservative MP for Brigg and Immingham Martin Vickers, his running mate in this year's Green Party leadership election Ellie Chowns, and Labour MP for North Ayrshire and Arran Irene Campbell.
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
Carrying chickens by legs causes them pain, Green Party leader warns
The Government has planned to overturn an EU ban on catching and carrying poultry by their legs. But Green Party co-leader Mr Ramsay has called for animal welfare standards to be 'improved, not stripped back', as he urged ministers to halt their plans. He has tabled a 'prayer motion', calling for the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 to be 'annulled' before they come into force next week. The regulations set out that farmers will be able to catch and carry turkeys weighing 5kg or less and chickens by both legs, but not by one leg. The existing ban 'does not reflect long-standing policy on appropriate methods of 'catching' chickens set out in GB statutory guidance', according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Ministers' decision to change the law followed a consultation throughout Great Britain, which found 40% of respondents supported two-leg catching. The majority of these were 'poultry industry stakeholders' who 'did not consider two-leg catching to be directly detrimental to bird welfare'. Some industry stakeholders also 'confirmed that young turkeys (weighing 5kg or less) are routinely caught by two legs, while older heavier turkeys (weighing more than 5kg) are routinely caught upright, by a range of different methods'. But Mr Ramsay told the PA news agency: 'The Government's attempt to quietly weaken animal welfare standards for poultry is deeply troubling. 'After Defra cited this practice in its guidance, ministers are now attempting to restore outdated industry practices in law. 'Allowing chickens to be carried upside down by their legs causes injury, pain and unnecessary distress. 'I want our animal protection laws to be improved, not stripped back further. 'If handling methods widely used on farms don't meet welfare standards, then they need to be improved, not made legal because enforcement has failed.' His motion has received cross-party backing, including from Conservative MP for Brigg and Immingham Martin Vickers, his running mate in this year's Green Party leadership election Ellie Chowns, and Labour MP for North Ayrshire and Arran Irene Campbell.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oil refinery collapsed ‘owing taxman £250m'
One of Britain's biggest oil refineries collapsed owing HMRC hundreds of millions of pounds in unpaid taxes, it can be revealed. The failure of Prax Group, which owned the Lindsey Oil Refinery, threatens the taxpayer with a bill of up to £250m, sources said. Lindsey collapsed earlier this week, blind-siding Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, by declaring insolvency. Officials have been forced to step in to secure the operations of the plant, which supplies 10pc of Britain's fuel. It is understood that Prax was battling severe cash flow problems for more than a year, which left bosses scrambling to extend repayment terms with the tax authority. The company went as far as lobbying for government support last year, according to a source, who said: 'They were trying to get a more generous payment agreement and stretch the time that they had.' However, ministers in the former Tory government refused to intervene. Another source close to the situation said: 'HMRC want their money.' Mr Miliband has ordered an urgent investigation into the 'conduct of directors and the circumstances surrounding its insolvency' following the collapse of Prax, which has owned the Lindsey refinery since 2021. Michael Shanks, the energy minister, said last week that 'there have been longstanding issues with the company', which has racked up tens of millions of pounds of losses in the last four years. Martin Vickers, a Tory MP whose constituency hosts the Lindsey refinery, said: 'I have had concerns surrounding the Prax refinery, particularly in view of the public information about their financial position.' The latest revelations will also raise further questions about the company's owners, Sanjeev and Arani Soosaipillai. The Telegraph revealed earlier this week that they were paid a £3.7m dividend the year before the company's collapse, despite Prax posting $30m worth of losses. Mr Soosaipillai, who is chief executive and chairman of the business, has not commented since the collapse and did not respond to The Telegraph's requests for comment. The Insolvency Service has since taken control of the refinery in Lincolnshire. Concerns over potential disruption to fuel supplies have grown in recent days after deliveries of crude were halted. However, a breakthrough between the Government and Glencore, which supplies the crude, was struck on Friday morning to ensure the plant can keep functioning and fuel can continue to leave the plant. A spokesman for Teneo, which has been appointed as joint administrators, said: 'As is standard practice in all insolvency cases, the joint administrators will be reviewing the circumstances giving rise to their appointment and the cause of failure.' An HMRC spokesman said: 'We are unable to comment on identifiable individuals or businesses due to strict confidentiality rules.' As well as owning the refinery, Prax's $10bn energy empire also includes petrol stations and oil storage sites. The company had been in talks with the Government since April, but repeatedly refused to share details about its financial situation. Mr Soosaipillai also assured officials there was no immediate threat to the refinery, a position that suddenly changed last week as his company rushed to declare insolvency. More than 400 people work at the facility. Mr Shanks told the Commons earlier this week: 'The wealthy owner cannot wash his hands of his obligations to the workers and their families.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
