• Should the new European regulation on live animal transport continue towards entry into force, framed within legislation purportedly aimed at promoting animal welfare, it would entail an immediate investment of 361 million euros, plus an additional 125 million euros annually.  
• For Avianza, this is a regulation that has failed to take the sector into account and is based on an implementation that is entirely “impossible”, which would force Spanish meat processing companies to close and lead to the arrival of poultry meat from countries outside the EU that do not meet minimum standards
• The measure involves reducing loading capacity per truck by 43%, increasing the number of required journeys by 65% (more than 15 million additional kilometres), and generating 222% more greenhouse gas emissions

Avianza, the Spanish Interprofessional Association for Poultry Meat, presented on 27 June 2024 on the occasion of the European Poultry Conference (Valencia), the main conclusions of its “Report on the Impact on the poultry meat sector of the proposed Regulation on the protection of animals during transport and related operations”, amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/97 of the European Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005. An initiative that purportedly seeks to promote animal welfare, but which neither improves it nor delivers any benefit in terms of sustainability, with a negative impact in both areas, particularly for Spain. 

This analysis, which has been submitted to both the European Commission and the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, details the disastrous implications for consumers and the environment of this regulation, contrary to its stated aims, and in practice represents the possible disappearance of thousands of farms and production companies in the poultry meat sector in our country, given the consequences for viability, competitiveness, and the restrictions imposed by the proposed new regulations.

The regulation seeks to impose a redesign of transport containers, increasing their height, as well as regulating the stocking density within each one. In addition, it would increase the consumption of inputs such as fuel, vehicle wear, driver overtime (with the consequent occupational risk and road congestion), among others. It would likewise entail the adaptation of mechanical systems in processing facility infrastructure, waiting times, etc.  

These are the main conclusions of the Report:

Solving a Non-Existent Problem

The report highlights that mortality during poultry transport in Spain is already extremely low, averaging 0.3%. This figure indicates that the current regulation already guarantees a high level of animal welfare during transport. The proposal presents no situation analysis or impact assessment, and appears to address a problem that does not exist in the sector’s reality​.

Economic Impact on the Consumer

The implementation of this regulation would have a severe economic impact on Spanish consumers’ shopping baskets, as has been demonstrated by other animal welfare regulations applied in European countries without sector involvement, which have in some cases tripled the price of chicken, as occurred in the Netherlands.

The additional production cost is estimated at 361 million euros in the first year alone for the adaptation of infrastructure, transport, etc., to which a further 125 million euros per year would be added due to increased journeys, additional personnel requirements, energy consumption, etc. A total of 861 million euros over this legislative term. An increase that would once again affect the entire value chain, particularly economically vulnerable populations​.

Risk to Food Sovereignty

Spain is a key exporter of high-quality poultry genetics. The proposed new restrictions would jeopardise export capacity, affecting the food sovereignty of both the European Union and the countries it supplies. Companies would be forced to relocate outside the EU to maintain their markets, which would also endanger European food sovereignty​. Unfortunately, relocation could in practice be the precursor to company closures and the influx of production from other markets not subject to the intended regulations.

Environmental Consequences

The proposed regulation would increase CO2 emissions, water consumption and the carbon footprint of poultry transport, reducing the sector’s sustainability. This stands in stark contrast to the sustainability and environmental protection objectives the EU claims to promote. In addition to an increase of over 65% in the number of journeys required to move the same volume of poultry meat production, it would entail a 222% increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

Purported “Animal Welfare”

Contrary to its stated aims, the new regulations could in fact be detrimental to animal welfare. The greater space between animals during transport could increase the risk of injuries and fractures, without delivering any significant animal welfare benefits. Transporting animals at lower stocking densities would be equivalent to creating highly dangerous gaps in the event of sudden braking, while the height regulations could cause birds that have stood up to fall and suffer broken limbs. By way of comparison, this measure “would be like removing the seats from a bus so that passengers travel standing up on the road”, which is quite clearly an act of utter recklessness.

Avianza reiterates its commitment to animal welfare, sustainability and food safety. However, it urges that any new regulation be based on concrete data and a rigorous analysis of the real impact on the sector and on consumers.

For further information:
-. EU Proposes New Regulation on Animal Welfare During Transportation. Report 3rd June 2024 by USDA
-. Avianza – Spanish Interprofessional Association for Poultry Meat
-. “Avianza Report on the Proposed EU Transport Regulation: Impact on the profitability, efficiency and quality of poultry meat production“. (PDF, 22 pages)
-. EUROPEAN COMMISSION: COM(2023) 770 final / 2023/0448(COD). Brussels. Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the protection of animals during transport and related operations, amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/97 and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005

-. Poultry Sector Analysis at NeXusAvicultura.com