Reintroduction of
processed animal
protein
The European Commission
presented a communication in
2011 outlining the reintroduction
of the use of processed animal
protein and amending regulations
laying down rules for the
prevention, control and eradication
of certain transmissible spongiform
encephalopathies.
Dedicated processes respecting
the intra-species recycling ban
are available, and the Association
of Poultry Processors and Poultry
Trade in the EU Countries is pleased
that the European Parliament has
endorsed the commission’s proposal
that confirms the safety, feed value
and environmental importance
of processed animal protein. The
association is hopeful that the
proposal can enter into force in 2012.
The ban on feeding animal proteins
to ruminants remains in place,
as does the ban on intra-species
recycling.
Poultry meat production in selected EU
Member States 2008-2010 (000 tons)
2008
119
263
191
101
1,851
1,391
106
98
1,110
698
321
1,306
88
1,458
Austria
Belgium/Luxembourg
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Italy
Netherlands
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
UK
Source: MEG to Eurostat, FAO and national data 2011.
2009
120
268
191
95
1,817
1,460
106
95
1,133
727
330
1,312
88
1,452
2010
120
268
191
96
1,850
1,588
106
104
1,157
737
335
1,270
88
1,568
Despite variation from country to country, overall, the trend in production has been upward.
Marketing and labeling
The Association of Poultry
Processors and Poultry Trade in the EU
Countries has actively promoted an “EU
farming label”, which would indicate
that the EU is one market, and ensure
that consumers purchase poultry meat
reared to European welfare standards
and European food safety standards.
Many labeling schemes currently
exist in Europe, and a harmonized,
consistent approach is needed, argues
the association. The Parliament has
already called on the commission to
publish, by 2012 at the latest, a proposal
for general animal welfare legislation. In
July 2011, Health and Consumer Policy
Commissioner John Dalli promised the
Parliament legislative proposals that
might introduce mandatory labeling
detailing stunning method. The
commission was expected to publish
its animal welfare action plan 2011-2015
in December 2011.
Trade negotiations
The standards by which EU
producers must abide contribute
to higher production costs when
compared to imported product, the
Association of Poultry Processors and
Poultry Trade in the EU Countries notes.
Since global competition should
take place on a level playing field, the
association argues that imported
poultry meat should comply with the
same standards that the EU imposes
on its own farmers and other food
businesses. This should be a condition,
without exception, when the EU is
negotiating or concluding agreements.
European turkey production
Since the avian influenza crisis of
2006, European turkey production has
remained stable at 1. 8 million tons.
However, the situation is different
from country to country, with growth
being recorded in Germany and
Poland, while in France, Italy and the
UK producers are still struggling.
The Association of Poultry
Processors and Poultry Trade in the EU
Countries notes that production costs
are volatile in the turkey industry
and consumption patterns are
difficult to manage, with consumers
being highly sensitive to price. Yet,
given the price position of turkey, it
should be possible to maintain total
consumption at current levels.
