The Commission has requested EFSA to assess all the scientific and proprietary information available on the genetics of broilers as well as the welfare of grandparent and parent stocks. The Commission also requests EFSA to issue two scientific opinions, the first one on the influence of genetic selection on the welfare and resistance to stress of commercial broilers and the second one on the welfare of grandparent and parent stocks raised and kept for breeding purposes.

Furthermore, the request will include the influence of genetic selection on the resistance to disease agents in commercial broilers, and therefore, data collection encompasses animal health aspects of genetic selection in broilers. The infectious diseases include viral, bacterial, parasitic and mycotic infectious agents relevant to:

1. control of major epidemic animal diseases subject to EU legislation
2. food-borne zoonoses
3. monitoring and/or control of other zoonotic diseases, and
4. impact of infectious or parasitic diseases on the economy of broiler and broiler breeder farming systems.

EFSA kindly asks governments, interested organisations, breeding companies, universities, research institutions, other stakeholders and any individuals to submit any available data relevant to the specific areas indicated in the attached file. EFSA encourages the submission of peer-reviewed data, however, non-peer-reviewed data like annual reports, internal quality control reports, will also be considered.

The deadline for submissions is 15 October 2008. Data submissions should be sent to this e-mail address: [email protected].

Further Reading

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You can find out how to submit information to EFSA by clicking here.