28.07.2010

European Food Safety Authority

EFSA’s Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) has adopted a scientific opinion on the influence of genetic selection on the welfare of broilers and another opinion on the influence of housing and management on the welfare of broiler breeders. EFSA’s experts say that most welfare concerns are linked to fast growth rates, a result of genetic selection in chickens. They also identify concerns originating from the interaction of genetic traits and the chickens’ environment (for instance the housing and management of poultry farms). These opinions will help the European Commission in preparing a report which will be submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council.