Broilers

The European Commission published in May 2005 a Council Directive proposal laying down minimum rules for the protection of chickens kept for meat production. The Commission indicates in the grounds for the proposal the main animal welfare problems, which had already been stated by the scientific committee of the European Union in the year 2000.

The fast growing leads to an unbelievable suffering

However, there are no requirements which may contribute to mitigate efficiently the described shortcomings. FOUR PAWS supports a European Directive for the protection of broilers that has the right to carry this name. European-wide rules also give producers the advantage of excluding a large extent of competitive distortions due to national special provisions.

Nowadays broilers reach their slaughter weight in only 32 days. Unlike other farm animal species, fast growth and high-level intensified husbandry lead to suffering, illnesses and distortions.

 The negative effects of one-sided breeding on animal welfare are manifold, despite their short life. For the European Union Committee the one-sided breeding is one of the most important causes for the existing animal welfare problems. It identified the following diseases and disorders linked to breeding practices:

• As a direct consequence an increase in metabolic disorders such as ascites and the so-called "sudden death syndrome" occurs.
• The mobility of broilers is restrained due to rapid growth which leads to leg weakness and lameness.
• Permanent sitting of the chickens leads to poor litter quality and to the appearance of skin diseases such as breast blisters, hock burns and foot pad dermatitis, which are gateways for other infections.  

Together with rearing deficiencies these deficits lead to drastically increased mortality rates. Altogether the Council Directive Proposal is insufficient since it completely ignores central aspects of animal welfare and regulates them unsatisfactorily.

FOUR PAWS therefore asks for the following improvements:

• Consideration of breeding problems and deficits in the parent stock establishments, for example by limiting the weight gain.
• No introduction of a two-class model: animal welfare requirements must equally apply to all establishments.
• Limitation of the stocking density to a maximum of 17 animals per square meter of surface area.
• Additional requirements, for example temperature parameters, must clearly be improved and be applied to all establishments.
• Mortality rates and chicken health must be recorded in all establishments. The proposed values must be tightened and infringements appropriately sanctioned.

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