Dame Joanna Lumley, aged 80, has made a passionate appeal to the UK government to ban the culling of male chicks, a practice that sees 45 million male chicks killed annually within hours of hatching. This call to action is part of a broader campaign developed by the Vegetarian Society, which has garnered support from 19 cross-party politicians and nearly 90 supporters in Parliament. The campaign emphasizes the need for a clear deadline to end this inhumane practice, which has been criticized as unnecessary and cruel. The public's concern is reflected in the 40,000 signatures collected for the Ban Hatch & Dispatch petition, which has also attracted endorsements from various celebrities, including wildlife presenter Chris Packham and actor Brian Cox. The movement aligns with the Animal Welfare Strategy for England, which expressed a desire to see the practice banned. As countries like Norway move towards alternatives such as in-ovo sexing technology, the UK faces pressure to keep pace with international standards on animal welfare. Lumley, known for her long-standing advocacy against factory farming and animal cruelty, urges the government to act swiftly to end the culling of male chicks.