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Parles-tu français mon petit poulet?
As Britain left the EU, we started an affiliation with a French charity to highlight laying hen welfare and I’m very proud to announce that we are now making inroads into French hearts and minds just as we have done here in the UK.
Based in Gers, France, Champs Libres aux Poules [CLaP] and the BHWT share a combined goal; to roll out a hen welfare programme in the country that is currently the EU’s largest egg producer.
Heidi Carneau, founder of CLap, first learned about the BHWT in 2015 when she adopted hens from us. She became an ardent BHWT supporter and fundraiser which motivated her to start her own charity when she moved to France in 2019.
Jane and Heidi began serious talks in early 2020 as to how to approach rehoming hens in a country that loves its gourmet food but has a different view on farm animal welfare. By early autumn the fledgling French affiliate charity was hatched.
CLaP has begun working with local farmers in the Gers region and has already rehomed over 7,000 French hens who are now enjoying a second chance in life.
In Heidi’s own words, “I think the French public is ready to accept hens as pets and the welfare movement is slowly closing the gap with other European countries.”
Currently CLaP’s adoption programme covers 10% of France and in the coming months the charity would like to expand to other regions and create regional hubs assisted by volunteers and volunteer coordinators, replicating the BHWT model.
CLaP’s Governing Board is made up of a Bureau and two members of the BHWT, Jane being one of them. Whilst the BHWT has allowed CLaP to use branding similar to its own, CLaP is an affiliate partner and not a sub-brand.
Heidi says, “My ultimate goal is improving commercial hen welfare and rehoming as many hens as we can. Our charity motto is “Adoption, Education, Evolution."
To learn more about CLaP visit champslibresauxpoules.com