An animal welfare charity has been given the green light to take a challenge against the Government over standards relating to so-called “Frankenchickens” to the Court of Appeal.

Earlier this year, The Humane League brought legal action against Therese Coffey, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, arguing she had misinterpreted a key section of animal welfare law in relation to fast-growing chickens.

However, in a ruling in May, Sir Ross Cranston dismissed the legal challenge, saying Ms. Coffey has not “positively authorised or approved unlawful conduct by others” so as to be in breach of any public law duty.

But in an order on Monday, Lord Justice William Davis gave the charity the go-ahead to appeal against Sir Ross’s decision.

He said: “There is a legitimate argument to the contrary which needs to be considered by the court.”

The High Court was previously told “Frankenchickens” are chickens that can reach a slaughter weight of more than 2kg in five to six weeks as a result of genetic selection when reared in an indoor commercial environment.

According to evidence put before the court by the charity and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), studies have concluded that fast-growing breeds of chicken experience significantly worse welfare detriment than slower growing breeds.

After the decision, The Humane League UK’s managing director Sean Gifford said: “We are thrilled our legal challenge will have this final day in court.

“What hangs in the balance are the lives of one billion thinking, feeling chickens who are forced to endure the cruellest practice in modern farming.

“Fast-growing Frankenchickens, whose short lives are plagued by illness, suffering and despair, have been let down by the law.

“While the Government has abandoned almost every single one of its animal welfare pledges, this appeal, if successful, could legally force them to end the greatest animal welfare crisis of our time.”