Certification update

Derogations research

Soil Association is currently working with a client on a Research Derogation that looks at whether high standards of animal welfare can be maintained when chicken flock sizes increase beyond 1,000 birds. Interest from other farmers wishing to carry out similar research on their farms is welcome.

Date published: 17 Aug 2026
  • Farming
  • Derogations and permissions

We are currently working with one of our clients on a Research Derogation that looks at whether we can still maintain our high standards of animal welfare when chicken flock sizes increase beyond 1,000 birds.

We welcome any interest from other farmers wishing to carry out similar research on their farms. Through our welfare outcome assessments, we will have a valuable pool of data that enhances these research opportunities to ensure we have data from a wide range of farms and systems.

Data from Research Derogations is just one of the tools that we use to help develop an evidence base to support our higher standards.

If we then propose an amendment to the higher standards because of the evidence generated by a trial, we will run a consultation in line with our usual process.

Find out more about the Research Derogation process.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact standards@soilassociation.org.

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Certification

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Soil Association organic standards go further than the legal minimum in key areas such as animal welfare, the environment and human health. At Soil Association Certification, we certify organic businesses and products to these higher standards.

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