Document type: scientific synthesis published in Frontiers in Animal Science
Authors: Vonholdt-Wenker ML, Nofrarías M, Cerdà-Cuéllar M, Majó N, de Jong IC, and Malchow J
Abstract in French (translation): Bridging the Gap: A Comparative Analysis of Industry Approaches and Scientific Perspectives on the Health and Welfare of Broiler Chickens in Europe
In the European broiler industry, the social acceptability of production is under severe strain. As a result, producers must adopt a range of innovative practices. The BroilerNet thematic network project established a network aimed at promoting the adoption of innovative, ready-to-use best practices on European broiler farms. Stakeholders from the 13 participating countries identified 16 priority challenges for the industry regarding animal health and welfare and proposed 232 best practices to address them. International experts selected five best practices per challenge, which were disseminated in multiple languages.
In this case study, we sought to assess whether BroilerNet’s findings aligned with the welfare implications and recommendations outlined in the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) recent scientific opinion on the welfare of broiler chickens. In 2023, EFSA published a report highlighting, among other things, 16 impacts of current production systems on the welfare of broiler chickens and 76 recommendations to address them. We examined the similarities and differences between the BroilerNet findings and those of the EFSA.
This comparative analysis revealed that 13 welfare implications (81%) aligned with at least one of BroilerNet’s priority sectoral challenges. Consequently, the perspectives of the industry and those of the scientific community appear to be largely aligned regarding challenges related to animal health and welfare. Furthermore, 55 of EFSA’s recommendations (71%) corresponded to at least one of BroilerNet’s 78 best practices (33 direct matches and 37 indirect matches). Nevertheless, 39% of BroilerNet’s best practices were not taken into account by EFSA.
Overall, several best practices aligned with the scientific recommendations (e.g., raised platforms, on-farm hatching, and farmer training). The main gaps in improving broiler welfare relate to reducing stocking densities, providing covered porches and/or access to the outdoors, and using slower-growing strains, as recommended by EFSA but not identified as a best practice in BroilerNet. Reasons for this gap may include market demand and low profit margins, which seem to leave little room for relatively costly or risky investments.
Preview:
For the European broiler sector, the social license to produce is under pressure. Hence, farmers need to adopt a series of innovative practices. The thematic network project BroilerNet created a network to promote the adoption of ready-to-use innovative best practices on European broiler farms. Stakeholders from 13 participating countries identified 16 sector priority challenges for animal health and animal welfare and submitted 232 good practices to address them. International experts selected five best practices per challenge, which were multilingually disseminated.
In this case study, we aimed to assess whether the BroilerNet output aligns with welfare consequences and recommendations of the recent scientific opinion on broiler welfare of the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA). In 2023, EFSA published a report highlighting, among others, 16 welfare consequences of current production systems for broiler chickens and 76 recommendations to overcome them. We investigated convergence and divergence between the BroilerNet and EFSA results.
This comparative analysis revealed that 13 welfare consequences (81%) converged with at least one BroilerNet priority sector challenge. Therefore, industry and scientific perspectives seem to largely align when it comes to animal health and animal welfare challenges. Furthermore, 55 EFSA recommendations (71%) converged with at least one of the 78 BroilerNet best practices (i.e. 33 direct convergences and 37 indirect convergences). Nevertheless, 39% of the best practices in BroilerNet were not contemplated by EFSA.
Overall, several best practices aligned with scientific recommendations (e.g. elevated platforms, on-farm hatching, and farmer training). The biggest gaps for broiler welfare improvement relate to reducing stocking densities, providing covered verandas and/or outdoor access, and the use of slower growing genetics, as recommended by EFSA but not identified as best practices in BroilerNet. The reasons for the existing gap may include market demand and small margins that seem to leave little room for rather expensive or risky investments.
From Frontiers in Animal Science
