European poultry industry faces environ
The poultry
EU Poultry meat supply EU 27 (000 tons)
2008
11,645
905
864
11,604
23. 4
100.4
Gross production
Total exports
Total imports
Consumption
Consumption per capita (kg)
Rate of self sufficiency (%)
Source: MEG to Eurostat and national statistics. 2011.
2009
11,711
928
848
11,630
23. 3
100.8
2010
11,995
1,148
775
11,622
23. 2
sector require
European production has risen over the last three years,
as have the bloc's exports.
greater attention
at EU level, and fair
competition.
The Association of Poultry
Processors and Poultry Trade in
the EU Countries, AVEC, has released its
annual report for 2010-2011. The report
details an industry under increasing
environmental, regulatory and trade
pressure, with numerous obstacles to
overcome.
While poultry may be the most
sustainable meat produced in the EU,
total EU production is not forecast
to increase over the decade ahead,
says the association. The European
industry finds itself in a position
where it is increasingly challenged
by imports threatening long-term
European food security, unevenly
applied food safety and welfare
legislation and increasing feed prices.
Welfare
The welfare requirements
imposed on European producers
continue to increase, however, there
remains a belief that new rules and
their implementation are not always
worked out in the best possible way.
Rules for the maximum stocking
density of animals came into force in the
EU in June 2010 under Directive 43/2007.
These rules also covered feeding and
drinking facilities, ventilation, heating
light, litter, noise, record keeping,
training and surgical intervention.
