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The debate about the consequences of the switch to the European Chicken Commitment (ECC) in the European Union shows similarities with the switch to the Beter Leven quality mark (or ‘Better Life’) in the Netherlands. Improving animal welfare has adverse side effects for both the environment and the quantity of poultry meat produced. The production costs of the ECC chicken are also much higher than those for traditional poultry meat.
Many comparative studies have been done in recent years to analyse the differences between the animal welfare of poultry kept under standard conditions and higher welfare concepts. These have consistently shown that animal welfare improves when chickens have access to daylight and are kept at a lower stocking densities.
European Chicken Commitment requirements
AMore than 200 food and foodservice companies have endorsed the European Chicken Commitment. By 2026, they promise only to purchase fresh, frozen and processed chicken meat that meets a set of extra mandatory requirements. For example, the bird must be of a slow-growing breed and kept at a maximum stocking density of 30kg/m2. There are also obligations for daylight provision and enrichment material. A covered outdoor area is not a requirement, unlike with the Beter Leven quality label.
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