At the Agriculture Council on Monday 17 October, France and Germany, supported by Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg and Portugal, called for an EU-wide ban on the systematic killing of male chicks.
The Agriculture Ministers of these countries have asked the European Commission to present an impact assessment on an EU-wide ban on this barbaric practice. The Commission is invited to present a proposal of this kind as part of the package expected in the third quarter of 2023 revising animal welfare legislation.
Spain also supported this request, as did Slovenia, Italy and Portugal.
The Netherlands is in favour of this ban, but referred to the risk of this practice continuing in third countries.
Sorting of eggs should take place as soon as possible in the event of an EU ban, Sweden suggested.
Denmark said it was awaiting information from France and Germany on alternatives to crushing male chicks. The technology of in ovo sexing, to avoid crushing, has been supported by Romania in particular.
Hungary, Bulgaria and Greece asked to take into account the socio-economic aspects of an EU-wide ban and the differences in farming systems in EU countries and to help farmers in the transition.
EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides has proposed a ‘phasing out’ (eliminating the practice with a transitional period) and promised an impact assessment as part of the package of proposals to improve animal welfare.
Link to the Franco-German note: https://aeur.eu/f/3n0 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)