Ban Hatch & Dispatch Campaign
Every year, 45 million day old male chicks are culled in the UK. We call this hatch and dispatch. New technology means this practice is now unnecessary and wasteful.
With France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, already implementing a ban, and Norway and Italy to follow suit, the UK is now falling behind both international best practice and public opinion. This is a matter we must set straight urgently. Launched in April 2025, our Ban Hatch & Dispatch campaign has made great strides and is gathering momentum.
To support the campaign you can
Read about some of the campaign’s significant milestones below.
Brian Cox, Actor, supports Ban Hatch & Dispatch
"I fully support the Ban Hatch & Dispatch campaign to end the awful, outdated practice of culling millions of day-old male chicks in the UK every year. Kinder technology already exists, and as a nation of animal lovers, we must speak up for those who cannot. Please sign and share the petition to stop this needless destruction and spare millions of chicks from a horrific fate. Thank you." Photography by David Ho
April 2026
Our short but impactful campaign video is released. Note: Whilst not graphic, the video contains content some viewers might find upsetting.
March 2026
Narrated by Stephen Fry, the powerful Ban Hatch & Dispatch animation is shortlisted at both the Brand Film Awards 2026, and the Purpose Awards 2026.
March 2026
Our CEO Richard McIlwain writes in The Scottish Farmer, arguing that it is not too soon to start in-ovo sexing.
Dame Joanna Lumley Supports Ban Hatch & Dispatch
"Around 45 million male chicks per year are killed within just hours of being born, all because they are viewed as 'waste'. We must end this cruel practice now. I support this important campaign and it's easy to lend your support too. Search 'ban hatch and dispatch' and please sign the petition today to spare these male chicks from an unnecessary and wasteful loss of life."
March 2026
Richard McIlwain is featured in the Daily Express
Britain must end needless horror – warm words from No10 simply won’t cut it
February 2026
The first parliamentary Round Table on male chick culling takes place including representatives from industry, MPs, academics and advocates, to discuss next steps for Government and industry.
Anna Jones – cook/writer/best-selling author
“Most people don’t know that the eggs they buy are produced by an industry that unnecessarily kills some 45 million male chicks every year. This barbaric process must be banned in order to force egg producers to use existing technology to identify male eggs before they hatch – as already done in many other countries."
January 2026
Animal Welfare Strategy debate takes place in parliament, and 6 MPs, including Irene Campbell MP, raise the topic of male chick culling.
January 2026
Irene Campbell MP visits a hatchery using in-ovo sexing technology in the Netherlands, and calls on the UK Government to produce a roadmap of next steps.
Dave Spikey – award-winning comedian, writer, presenter
I'm a staunch supporter of the Ban Hatch & Dispatch campaign to demand urgent change in this awful practice, and I'd be so grateful if you would join me. It's absolutely heart-breaking that 45 million male chicks are culled horrifically in the UK every single year just hours after hatching especially when the technology exists to stop this; there is simply no excuse. Please, please spare two minutes and sign and share the petition. Help to make it happen.
December 2025
The Government includes ending male chick culling in its Animal Welfare Strategy, the first time the issue has been included in an official Government strategy.
Dr Marc Abraham Supports Ban Hatch & Dispatch
"As a practicing vet, I see every day how much people in this country love their animals. So many of us respect our fellow creatures as sentient beings, with the right to have their welfare taken into account. Surely chicks are no less deserving of that care and respect than other animals? So, let’s end the senseless killing and cruelty of hatch and dispatch. Please sign and share the petition, and work together to help urge our Government to do the right thing." Dr Marc Abraham OBE
November 2025
The release of an investigation showing the practice of male chick culling in France puts further pressure on the Government to act.
October 2025
Daily Express feature Ban Hatch & Dispatch campaign supported by Dame Joanna Lumley.
October 2025
Over 50 MPs, Peers and MSPs and high profile figures including Dame Joanna Lumley, comedian Dave Spikey and TV Vet Dr Marc Abraham urge the Government to include male chick culling in its upcoming Animal Welfare Strategy.
September 2025
First ever parliamentary debate on ending male chick culling takes place in House of Commons.
September 2025
60 attendees attend the first parliamentary reception on ending male chick culling, with nearly 30 parliamentarians and ten members of the Vegetarian Society in attendance.
August 2025
The Vegetarian Society holds events throughout the country to inform the public of the cruelty behind male chick culling.
July 2025
Over 30 MPs, Peers and organisations write to the Government urging it to ban male chick culling as soon as possible.
April 2025
Stephen Fry narrates an impactful animation to launch Ban Hatch & Dispatch.
April 2025
Ban Hatch & Dispatch is launched – a campaign calling for an end to cruel male chick culling.
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