The Affiliation of Poultry Processors and Poultry Commerce within the EU International locations (AVEC) has printed at present a brand new research analysing in depth the extra prices and certain implications of adopting the European Hen Dedication (ECC) within the EU.
Quite a few firms throughout Europe, spanning from retailers to eating places and catering companies, have already signed as much as the ECC, a framework of requirements promoted by animal welfare NGOs, which goals to reinforce animal welfare and exceeds present EU laws. The ECC commits its signatories to use a number of necessities similar to using slower-growing rooster breeds, a decrease stocking density, using enrichment instruments and so forth, to 100% of their (recent, frozen and processed) poultry provide chain by 2026.
As ECC compliance progresses, essential questions relating to its environmental implications and its results on rooster meat manufacturing stay unanswered. To make clear these points, AVEC has commissioned a complete impression research analyzing the potential penalties of absolutely transitioning from present EU rooster meat manufacturing to ECC requirements, carried out independently by RSK ADAS Ltd (ADAS) – a consultancy agency specialising in agriculture.
“The distinctive side of this research lies within the emphasis positioned on calculating prices per kilogram of meat, not like earlier analysis centered solely on the implications for reside birds or liveweight, which doesn’t precisely replicate market realities since we promote meat, not reside animals”, states Birthe Steenberg, AVEC’s Secretary Normal. Jason Gittins, Technical Director for livestock at ADAS, explains additional: “Because of variations in meat yields between commonplace and ECC manufacturing, earlier research typically underestimated the true impression of switching to ECC requirements”.
The ”Prices and Implications of the European Hen Dedication within the EU” research finds that absolutely transitioning to ECC requirements would end in:
- A further manufacturing price of 37.5% per kilogram of meat,
- a 35.4% improve in water consumption, equating to a further 12.44 million cubic meters yearly,
- a 35.5% improve in feed consumption, amounting to a further 7.3 million tonnes,
- a 24.4% rise in greenhouse fuel emissions per kilogram of meat produced,
- a discount of 44% within the whole meat produced in comparison with commonplace manufacturing strategies at current in present EU rising area (>30kg/m²),
- and the need to assemble 9,692 new poultry homes, with an estimated price of €8.24 billion, to keep up present manufacturing ranges.
These results on manufacturing would inevitably result in greater costs that would exclude a big a part of customers from shopping for rooster meat or drastically improve imports from third international locations with decrease animal welfare requirements. AVEC’s President, Gert-Jan Oplaat, emphasises the significance of client selection and knowledgeable decision-making: “Whereas the ECC goals to enhance animal welfare, it’s essential to recognise that these enhancements include vital financial and environmental implications. Figuring out that EU poultry consumption is predicted to develop within the EU within the subsequent 10 years, customers ought to have the selection to pick out greater welfare merchandise if they need, however it’s essential that commonplace, inexpensive choices stay obtainable”.
AVEC reaffirms the EU poultry sector’s dedication to steady enchancment of animal welfare in steadiness with financial and environmental sustainability and highlights the necessity for different strategies to reinforce animal welfare with out imposing undue monetary burdens on customers or exacerbating environmental considerations. The affiliation advocates for the event of output-based animal welfare indicators, grounded in scientific and goal standards to evaluate welfare efficiency, efficient farm administration, complete farmer coaching and a framework that incentivises and encourages progress by lifelike and achievable targets for producers.
“Sustainability necessitates a fragile steadiness between its three pillars, and whereas bettering animal welfare is paramount, additionally it is necessary to take the financial and environmental impression into consideration,” concludes Birthe Steenberg. The EU poultry sector stays dedicated to delivering high-quality, accessible rooster meat produced below the very best requirements on the earth. We encourage customers and policymakers to contemplate the research’s findings to make knowledgeable selections about rooster manufacturing requirements.
To seek out out extra and obtain the complete research, please click on right here.
