More about the European Chicken Commitment

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Articol scris de Adelina Violeta Adelina Violeta

The European Chicken Commitment represents the efforts of dozens of animal rights and welfare organisations to help the 7.2 billion chickens that are fattened and killed in Europe every year (Albert Schweitzer Foundation, n.d.). It includes specific criteria to significantly reduce suffering in the chicken farming industry and is aimed at food industry companies. The recommendations have been developed in a cooperative manner by animal rights organisations across Europe following scientific documentation highlighting the current harsh living conditions and how these can be changed to reduce the suffering of chickens. The criteria that are part of the European Chicken Commitment indicate the minimum changes needed to improve the welfare of chickens. These must be implemented by breeders to prevent disease and premature death of chicks.

Companies that make this commitment take responsibility for requiring suppliers to meet these criteria. Companies make incremental changes over a period of time. Most companies that have made the commitment so far have pledged to adopt the criteria by 2026.

The suppliers are expected to meet the following requirements for 100% of the chicken (fresh, frozen and processed) in their supply chain:

Comply with all EU animal welfare laws and regulations, regardless of the country of production.
1
Implement a maximum stocking density of 30 kg/m2 or less.
2
Thinning is discouraged and if practised must be limited to one thin per flock.
3
Adopt breeds that demonstrate higher welfare outcomes: either the following breeds, Hubbard Redbro (indoor use only); Hubbard Norfolk Black, JA757, JACY57, 787, 957, or 987, Rambler Ranger, Ranger Classic, and Ranger Gold, or other breeds that meet the criteria of the RSPCA Broiler Breed Welfare Assessment Protocol.
4
Meet improved environmental standards including: At least 50 lux of light, including natural light. At least two metres of usable perch space, and two pecking substrates, per 1,000 birds.
5
On air quality, the maximum requirements of Annex 2.3 of the EU broiler directive, regardless of stocking density. No cages or multi-tier systems.
6
Adopt controlled atmospheric stunning using inert gas or multi-phase systems, or effective electrical stunning without live inversion.
7
Demonstrate compliance with the above standards via third-party auditing and annual public reporting on progress towards this commitment.
8

*For companies committing after December 31, 2023, a longer timeline may be set, provided the timeline is in agreement with an NGO signatory of the ECC, has progress milestones, and a public deadline for 100% compliance.

What does each criterion represent?

In order to understand European Union laws and regulations on animal welfare, it is important to go through the COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 98/58/EC of July 20, 1998 on the protection of farm animals.

Space Density 

It is considered one of the most important factors for the welfare of broiler chickens. Although there is no doubt that keeping broilers in high stocking densities compromises the health and welfare of the birds, they are still given very little space to move around. There are varying degrees of density permitted under EU legislation and in certain countries. EU Council Directive 2007/43/EC for broilers outlines the conditions required for maximum stocking densities. According to Directive 2007/43/EC, the maximum stocking density on a holding or in a poultry house on a holding must not exceed 33 kg/m2 at any time. A higher stocking density of maximum 39 kg/m2 is only allowed with a set of additional environmental requirements. The stocking density may be increased to a maximum of 42 kg/m2 if the cumulative daily mortality rate is low. Environmental conditions include ventilation, heating and cooling systems to maintain adequate temperature, humidity and CO2 and NH3 concentrations (Official Journal of the European Union, n.d.).

Thinning

It is defined as the planned removal of a number of birds from a building, on one or more occasions, so as not to exceed the maximum population density required. Chickens are killed early to make more space, whether they are healthy or sick, and then sold for food.

Slow-growing Breeds

There are three (conventional) broiler breeds that account for the majority of chicken meat produced globally: COBB 500, ROSS 308 and HUBBARD FLEX (RSPCA, n.d.). Each represents the breed most widely used worldwide by each of the world’s three largest broiler companies. A study backed by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shows that, in general, compared to a slower-growing, commercially viable breed, these three conventional breeds had significantly higher mortality (including killing), more birds affected by muscle-breast disease (white stripes and hard “wooden” breast), poor leg, leg-joint and plumage health. Conventional breed chickens were also less active, spending more time eating and sitting than walking or standing. They were observed to express fewer natural behaviours such as perching and dust bathing (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, n.d.).

Changing the way chickens are killed

The European Chicken Commitment advocates for a change in how conventional chickens are killed.

Health problems of chickens

Because broiler chickens have been bred for rapid growth, they suffer from high welfare problems such as high morality, skin lesions, high risk of disease and poor leg health (Dixon, 2020).

Studies show that improving the condition of chickens increases their welfare and reduces their health problems. The provision of perches has been associated with a reduction in foot health problems, the number of foot burns and foot dermatitis (Ventura et al., 2012; Zhao et al., 2013). Broilers have been observed to use perches as early as six days of age and on average from nine days of age (Kaukonen et al., 2017). Platforms have also been found to positively influence leg health, as birds with access to platforms have improved gait and lower prevalence and severity of tibial dyschondroplasia (Kaukonen et al., 2017). In addition, the provision of platforms has been observed to reduce disturbance during roosting and are also used as roosting areas (Cornetto et al., 2001; Cornetto et al., 2002). The provision of straw bales and pecking objects, such as bundles of string, in natural light environments improves walking ability and decreases time spent lying down (Bailie, 2013; Bailie, 2015).

“The owner or keeper shall ensure that each house of a holding is equipped with ventilation and, if necessary, heating and cooling systems designed, constructed and operated in such a way that:

(a) the concentration of ammonia (NH3) does not exceed 20 ppm and the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) does not exceed 3 000  ppm measured at the level of the chickens’ heads;

(b) the inside temperature, when the outside temperature measured in the shade exceeds 30 °C, does not exceed this outside temperature by more than 3 °C;

(c) the average relative humidity measured inside the house during 48 hours does not exceed 70 % when the outside temperature is below 10 °C.”

Annex II, point 3 of the European Union Directive on broilers:

References

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