Tom Woolman and Tom Willings welcome back their first repeat guests to the Poultry Network Podcast: Kelly Grelier (Chief Commercial Officer, RSPCA Assured) and Kate Parks (Senior Scientific Officer, RSPCA). After the hosts’ earlier coverage, they set out RSPCA Assured’s perspective on the revised hatchery standards, now in force from 16 February.

The updated standard applies across poultry sectors—laying hens, broilers, turkeys and ducks—and is positioned as a refresh of a document last published in 2017, rather than a wholesale rewrite. The most substantive strengthening is in the section covering humane killing: RSPCA Assured reviewed current best practice and incorporated relevant guidance, including Humane Slaughter Association material, alongside clearer expectations on contingency planning. Other updates include additions intended to be consistent across species, such as a section on wild animal control.

Consultation is a central theme. Because hatcheries span multiple species schemes, the guests explain that proposals have historically been worked through the relevant species Standards Technical Advisory Groups (STAGs) and targeted meetings with affected members. They point to a focused 2023 session involving laying-hen hatchery members and BEIC representation, and acknowledge that an unusually long gap between sign‑off and publication—linked to a wider pause on standards releases—may have created a perception gap about how much engagement took place. Looking ahead, RSPCA Assured has convened a dedicated hatchery STAG to give hatchery-specific issues more focus.

For businesses assessing compliance and supply chain risk, Kelly and Kate emphasise that the revision was issued with a three‑month notification and they are not aware of major new requirements that should disrupt operations; where bigger changes are needed, longer lead times would normally apply. The discussion also highlights the egg sector’s sensitivity, given the small number of assured laying-hen hatcheries underpinning end‑to‑end continuity.

Finally, they unpack the document’s “iBoxes”—forward‑looking signals on areas such as in‑ovo sexing, AI use and potential future expectations for feed and water provision in hatcheries. The message to operators is to engage early on innovation and investment so welfare aims and practical delivery can be aligned. RSPCA Assured reiterates its welfare‑only focus and cites YouGov research indicating 85% of consumers look for welfare assurance.