Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has not made an assessment of the practices by other countries or jurisdictions. The current methods of killing chicks, such as Maceration/Instantaneous Mechanical Destruction, are considered to be acceptable by the Humane Slaughter Association and we will continue to work with industry to ensure that the current regulations still meet their objectives.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01338 on 10 July 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

It was recognised when Scotland’s Redress Scheme was designed that some survivor applicants may be advancing in age or suffering ill health. Therefore, priority is given to applicants with a terminal illness and those over 68 years of age.

The Scheme enables applicants, should they wish, to nominate a beneficiary to receive the full amount of redress payment in the event that the applicant dies before payment is made. A nominated beneficiary is only permitted to take over the application in specific circumstances.

Alternatively, a £10,000 next of kin payment may be possible where a survivor, who met the eligibility criteria for the Scheme, dies before a payment was made to them, their estate or a nominated beneficiary.

The Scottish Government released relevant information in response to an FOI request in December 2025. The link to the response can be found here - Number of applicants who passed away whilst awaiting a decision on redress: FOI release - gov.scot.

At this stage the Scottish Government has no plans to phase out or prohibit the maceration of live male chicks. The current methods of killing chicks, such as Maceration/Instantaneous Mechanical Destruction, are considered to be acceptable by the Humane Slaughter Association and we will continue to work with industry to ensure that the current regulations still meet their objectives.

No discussions have been had at this time. We will, however, continue working with industry and to review updated scientific evidence in order to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare are met.

Administration costs and awards paid under the Scheme broken down by financial year since the Scheme’s inception are set out in the following table:

The Scottish Government takes the welfare of animals at slaughter very seriously, including that of male chicks. The current methods of killing chicks, such as Maceration/Instantaneous Mechanical Destruction, are considered to be acceptable by the Humane Slaughter Association and we will continue to work with industry to ensure that the current regulations still meet their objectives.

Applicants are asked if they are terminally ill on the application form and, if confirmed, these applications are considered priority 1 applications and are prioritised at all stages of the redress process.

Redress Scotland make a determination on a priority 1 application within six weeks of receipt. Prioritisation of applications to be determined is a matter for the Chair of Redress Scotland, as set out in the Redress for Survivors (Historical Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021).

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-01113 on 15 July 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

The official statistics, available at Scotland's Redress Scheme Statistics December 2021 - June 2025 - gov.scot provide information on applications, outcomes and payments made in the first 42 months of Scotland's Redress Scheme.