European Union Animal Welfare Standards

In May, 2005 the European Commission adopted a proposal for legislation covering the protection of chickens kept for meat production (broilers). The proposed legislation will be the first EU legislation specifically for broilers. Directive 98/58/EC lays down the minimum standards for the protection of animals bred or kept for farming purposes, however the standards are very general and loosely defined. The EU already has Directive 99/74EC, which sets minimum standards for the protection of laying hens.

The proposal set a basic maximum stocking density of 30 kg live animals per square meter (m2) and a number of conditions addressing appropriate access to litter, drinkers and feed, as well as proper ventilation, temperature and humidity. Member states may provide that chickens be kept at a stocking density not exceeding 38 kg/m2 in establishments, or single units of an establishment, if the owner or keeper complies with the requirements set out in Annex II, in addition to the requirements set out in Annex I.

Annex I Requirements Applicable to all Establishments.

Annex I requires, among other things, that feed be continuously available and not withdrawn from chickens more than 12 hours before slaughter time; chickens have permanent access to easily crumbled, dry litter; sound levels are minimized; light follows a 24-hour rhythm including periods of darkness lasting at least 8 hours in total; inspections conducted twice daily; detailed record keeping. Establishments with less than 100 chickens, with breeding stocks of chickens, and hatcheries are excluded from these requirements.

Annex II Requirements For the Use of Higher Stocking Densities.

Annex II details the notification and documentation required for stocking density over 30 and up to 38 kg/m2. Each establishment must maintain and have available in the establishment a compiled documentation describing in detail the production systems. The ventilation, heating and cooling systems must not allow the concentration of NH3 (ammonia) to exceed 20 ppm and CO2 (carbon dioxide) to exceed 3000 ppm; the inside temperature, when the outside temperature measured in the shade exceeds 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), cannot exceed the outside temperature by more than 3 degrees Celsius; and when the outside temperature is below 10 degrees C, (50 degrees F) the relative humidity inside the unit cannot exceed 70%.

Proposals have to be approved by the European Parliament and national governments before they can become law. Animal welfare groups argued the rules didn’t address the genetic aspects of broiler chicken production. Five billion birds are slaughtered every year in the EU. Stocking densities in most Member States are currently 40-42 kg/m2. Producers fear that the increased costs for meeting these new requirements will aggravate the EU broiler sector’s competitive disadvantage with Brazil and Thailand.
Source: Official Journal of the European Communities, EUROPA Rapid Press Releases, UK Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

Animal Welfare Chapters, OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code

The International Committee of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) held its 73rd Annual General Session from May 22- 27, 2005. Delegates of the OIE voted to adopt global standards for the transport and slaughter of live animals.

Standards on animal welfare, included in 4 chapters, were adopted (i.e. slaughter for human consumption, including religious slaughter; land and sea transport of animals; humane killing of animals for disease control purposes). This is the first time an organization with a global mandate provides the international community with standards in this field. The adopted chapters went into effect at the conclusion of the 73rd General Session on May 27, 2005.

Although the OIE standards are a voluntary code they are important in that they provide a basis for the development of new or improved animal welfare laws.
Source: OIE Press Release, UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Press Release, EU Midday Express

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Source: USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service - 21st June 2005