Document type: article published by Process Alimentaire
Author: Christophe Meneust
Preview: After more than a decade of evolving farming practices, the French chicken industry is taking a new step forward by organizing its initiatives around a common set of standards. Launched on September 9, the “Filière Agricole Engagée pour Élever le Bien-Être Animal ” group has brought together nearly 80 signatories from across the entire supply chain: farmers, producer organizations, hatcheries, food manufacturers and processors, catering organisations, experts, veterinarians, and scientists*. More than 1,300 farmers have now made a commitment to this initiative.“It’s time for us to come together so we can speak with a strong voice”, says Tristan, a chicken farmer in Maine-et-Loire and a spokesperson for the group. The goal is twofold: to continue to improve chicken welfare and to raise awareness of what progress has already been made.
Animal-focused measures of welfare progress
The framework is based on 26 commitments and five key requirements that exceed legal obligations. It provides for more space in buildings, access to natural light, environmental enrichment to stimulate natural behaviors, enhanced health and hygiene standards, and regular training for farmers and technicians. Available space has been increased, notably, by approximately 10% compared to the maximum legal stocking density. Litter quality and the incidence of foot pad dermatitis feature among the parameters being monitored. Perches, substrates that can be pecked, twine, and bales of straw also have a role. “The goal is to move toward indicators that are as animal-centered as possible—with a focus on chickens" explains the group. The initial reported results are presented as a starting point for what is a process of continuous improvement. On participating farms, 80% of the indicators in the interprofessional guidelines for the poultry and farming industry received the highest rating, compared to the usual figure of 70%. The collective also reports a 61% decrease in antibiotic use between 2011 and 2024, a 37% reduction in foot pad dermatitis, and a 10% increase in the diversity of behaviors observed in chickens. These results are monitored with the help of experts and independent veterinarians.
€130 M invested since 2016
This initiative provides a framework for investments already made on poultry farms, involving the refurbishment of 2,600 henhouses. The improvements cover an area of more than 3.4 million square meters, and approximately 100,000 square meters of windows have been installed to provide natural light. The group estimates that farmers and their partners have invested 130 million euros since 2016. The challenge now is to highlight the added value of these investments and keep the momentum going.“We’ve improved quality of life for millions of chickens in recent years. These efforts deserve to be recognized, but we’re ready to go even further,” says Louis-Marie, who farms chickens, turkeys, ducks, and guinea fowl in the Deux-Sèvres Département and is one of the group's representatives.
A unique label for the group's products It is with this in mind that the “Bien-Être Animal – Filière Agricole Engagée" (Animal Welfare – Committed Agricultural Sector) label has been created. It will be rolled out gradually from September on the packaging of the products in question, and in other retail contexts: commercial and institutional catering, snack bars, butchers' shops, and self-service counters. The logo identifies products made from 100% French chickens that meet the group's common standards. It will be accompanied by a QR code giving access to details on the commitments and criteria involved. The dedicated website will also allow professionals wishing to join the initiative to promote their businesses.
According to the group'’s leaders, the intentionally simple symbol was chosen following several consumer studies. The goal is to allow quick recognition in an environment increasingly filled with quality labels and logos, while avoiding messaging that could be perceived as guilt-inducing. The initiative is also intended to complement other existing initiatives. Products that meet the European Chicken Commitment (ECC) standards will be eligible to display the new logo as long as they comply with all the core criteria defined by the group. Recently, the LDC Group has announced its launch on October 1,of new ECC product lines for its Le Gaulois and Maître Coq brands.
Welfare, buying French, and food sovereignty
The initiative is also presented as a means to increase how much chicken is produced in France. Chicken consumption is growing by more than 5% per year and accounts for nearly 80% of the poultry consumed in France. Meanwhile,, more than one in every two chickens consumed in France is imported. For the group, raising standards must therefore go hand in hand with maintaining an affordable supply. The challenge is to improve animal welfare in everyday chicken consumption, while strengthening the competitiveness of French products compared with imports.
This ambition also calls for the expansion of production capacity. The Anvol interprofessional group estimates that approximately 2,200 additional henhouses will be needed by 2035 to meet demand and strengthen the sector’s self-sufficiency. The group reports that it already has candidates ready to set up new operations, as well as those interested in expansion and construction projects. The modernization of slaughter equipment is another component of this strategy. Within the LDC Group, more than two-thirds of the chickens covered by the standards already undergo controlled atmosphere stunning, a technique destined for continued use. Additionally, more than 80% of the chickens covered by this initiative are slaughtered at facilities equipped with video surveillance.
An initiative set to expand
The group aims to be open to new investors, but also to institutions and organizations wishing to contribute to the improvement of animal welfare. Its governance structure is intentionally flexible, with no traditional hierarchy, while the various members provide their resources and expertise. A multichannel communications campaign will accompany the launch. In particular, this will feature a number of livestock farmers who have been selected as ambassadors for the initiative. A television campaign is scheduled to begin in September, and will be complemented by print and digital media initiatives.
*Including: Bourdicaud, Bureau ÊTRE, Cavac, Ciab, Amandine Chaignot, DanHatch France, Daunat, Eureden, Class’croûte, Comptoir du frais, DS Restauration, Éric Guérin, France Frais, Grosdoit, Groupe Le Saint, Groupe LDC (Upstream Division, with 3 chicken hatcheries and 7 production organizations, 5 major regional Poultry Division subsidiaries, Catering Division), Groupe Michel, Le Gouessant, ITAVI, Marcy, Metro, Sanders, Taster, Transgourmet
