Document type Answer to question E-002825/2023 from the European Commission
Authors: question: Aurélia Beigneux (ID). Answer: Mrs Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission
Question: Laying hens are regularly forced to undergo painful mutilations such as debeaking without anaesthesia. This is a painful operation in which the end of the beak is cut off using a blade heated to almost 400°C. It is done to prevent food waste and feather pecking.
As a result of intensive livestock farming on our continent, it is estimated that 80% of laying hens are debeaked, despite a trend towards the practice being banned in many countries. Some Member States have already banned it.
Debeaking is not without consequences; it leads to anatomical, physiological, behavioural and zootechnical alterations, causing a loss of sensory information. Feeding, grooming and nesting are impaired, resulting in reduced egg production.
We have a moral and ethical duty to protect the physical integrity of animals at all stages of their development.
In light of the above:
- Does the Commission recognize this practice as mutilation and does it intend to ban it?
- Does the Commission plan to review the rules governing intensive livestock farming?
- What action does the Commission intend to take to promote human-scale livestock farming that respects animals and their welfare?
Answer: Point 8 of Annex to Council Directive 1999/74/EC of 19 July 1999 laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens prohibits all mutilations on laying hens.
In order to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism, however, the Member States may authorise beak trimming provided it is carried out by qualified staff on chickens that are less than ten days old and intended for laying.
The Farm to Fork Strategy foresees a revision of the EU’s animal welfare legislation. This preparatory work is ongoing, covering in particular legislation for the welfare of animals at farm level, including laying hens.
In that context, the Commission is considering the extent to which the current EU rules on beak trimming for laying hens could be strengthened.
The Commission is now reflecting on and carefully assessing important aspects, including the related costs and the appropriate length of the transition period. It is important to seek the support of all involved to make these proposals a success.
The Commission has been acting to improve animal welfare for over 40 years, progressively improving the lives of animals. Animal welfare is and will remain a priority for the Commission.
