September 5, 2018

 

 

Canadian chicken has one of the lowest carbon footprint in the world, according to findings of a recent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted by Groupe AGÉCO, a consultation firm specialising in corporate social responsibility and economic studies.

 

The study was designed to measure the environmental and social performance of Canada's chicken sector, from hatching egg to processor.

 

According to the assessment, the carbon footprint of Canadian chicken, per kilogramme of protein, is lower than that of other livestock commodities produced in North America based on FAO's assessment of global livestock emissions."

 

Other key findings:

 

-- Since 1976, environmental performance significantly improved because of major productivity gains and significant improvements in feed conversion ratio.

 

-- In the last 40 years, the carbon footprint of the sector was reduced by 37%.

 

-- Water consumption has been reduced by 45% in the same timeframe.

 

-- 62% of the entire sector's total energy use comes from renewable sources, with chicken feed accounting for the bulk of renewable energy consumption.

 

Canadian farmers have eliminated Category I antibiotics (the most important for human medicine) on the farm, according to the Chicken Farmers of Canada (CFC).

 

CFC added that Canada's farmers have also committed to eliminating the preventive use of Category II antibiotics by the end of 2018 and a goal has been set to eliminate the preventive use of Category III antibiotics by the end of 2020.

 

"Our sustainability journey is a process of continual improvement. We have come a long way with the implementation of on-farm programmes, and with the growth in our industry which has contributed to the Canadian economy and helps support rural communities", said Benoît Fontaine, chair of Chicken Farmers of Canada.