09.05.2007

New rules to improve the welfare of chickens kept for meat production (broilers). The Directive (A proposal agreed by European Council) is a package of measures for improving meat chicken welfare. It aims to reduce the overcrowding of chickens, by setting a maximum stocking density of 33kg/m2, or 39kg/m2 if stricter welfare standards are met. The Directive applies to flocks of 500 plus birds. The new legislation also lays down a number of other conditions to ensure better animal welfare, such as lighting, litter, feeding, and ventilation requirements. The Directive also provides for the Commission to possibly introduce further measures in the future, based on the scientific data and practical evidence collected by the Member States.
The Directive will come into force in 2010.