June 7, 2005

New EU legislative proposal governs broiler chicken care

The European Commission will submit a proposal regarding broiler chicken care to the European Parliament to be put as legislation if approved.  

According to the EU's health and consumer protection commissioner, scientific studies show that intensive farming of chickens in the EU has led to "serious health and welfare shortcomings" as a result.

The legislation will set out a maximum broiler chicken stocking density of 30 kg per sq metre. A number of minimum conditions will also be set out for the care of broiler chickens across the EU, including appropriate access to litter, drinkers, feed and ventilation. These include adequate lighting within buildings in which the chickens are kept, a minimum of two daily inspections and immediate treatment or culling of seriously sick or injured chickens.

Farms will be allowed to stock up to 38 kg per sq metre of broiler chickens if they provide additional welfare resources and slaughter stage inspections continue to reveal that the animals have suffered no problems, reports say.

In addition to the minimum standards set out, farmers would also have to keep detailed records such as house temperatures, medical treatments and mortality rates.