Who? Edie Bowles, managing director and solicitor, Advocates for Animals, London.

Why is she in the news? Represents The Humane League UK, which claims the government is unlawfully permitting the use of fast-growing ‘Frankenchickens’ and failing to properly monitor welfare issues in chicken farming. The High Court reserved judgment following a substantive hearing last week.

Thoughts on the case: ‘Broiler chickens have been genetically selected over decades to prioritise fast growth and produce as much meat in the shortest possible time. As a result, they can suffer from a wide range of health and welfare issues, including heart attacks, lameness, green muscle disease, hock burns and organ failure. Fast-growing chickens constitute around 90% of the chickens slaughtered each year in the UK.

‘The Humane League UK argued that the use of conventional meat chicken breeds which grow unnaturally large, unnaturally fast, breaches the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007.

‘The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, the defendant, argues that it has no policy which condones or permits the use of these chickens, despite fast-growing breeds being standard in the chicken industry.

‘If successful this case could force [the industry] in the UK to move towards slower-growing, higher welfare breeds.’

A Defra spokesperson said: ‘We are proud to have some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world. All farm animals are protected by robust animal health and welfare legislation.’

Dealing with the media: ‘The media has been interested in this case from day one. [This] has largely been due to the lack of information in the public domain on this farming practice and the huge public interest in animal welfare issues in the UK.’

Why become a lawyer? ‘Despite all the incredible attributes animals possess and their sentience, they are extremely vulnerable in our society. This awareness has led to me carving a career aimed at ensuring animals are given the protections they are entitled to.’

Career high: ‘A particular case that will always be close to my heart was saving 70-plus pigs who had suffered due to poor treatment on a farm and were facing a destruction order. The pigs now live a happy life in a sanctuary in Wales.’

Career low: ‘Practising animal law is not the sweet “fluffy” area of law one might think. You are confronted with some of the most shocking cruelty and suffering day in and day out. Unfortunately, some of the suffering is legally endorsed or at least not legally enforced, which can be a lot to bear.’

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