Swiss industry solution to eliminate chick culling
Bern, 31 August 2024. «Unity is strength»: this motto has always been the driving force behind the players in the Swiss egg sector. Today, the truth of this statement is demonstrated. Together, challenges can be tackled and innovative solutions developed. After a lengthy dialogue process and numerous working meetings with all stakeholders across the value chain, the egg sector has succeeded in developing a joint solution to phase out chick culling. This represents a giant step forward and a milestone in the ethically contentious issue of «male chicks».
Both the organic (Bio) and conventional sectors are contributing different approaches to a comprehensive solution for the egg production sector in Switzerland:
- In the organic (Bio) sector: Elimination is being carried out gradually through the rearing of «brother roosters» from laying hen lines and the keeping of dual-purpose hens. Currently, more than half of the brothers are already being reared; by end of 2025, in accordance with Bio guidelines, this will reach 100%.
- In the conventional sector: The transition is being achieved through single-step in-ovo sex determination. The technical installations for this purpose will be commissioned at the two major hatcheries at the beginning of 2025 and will be progressively scaled up. By end of 2025, the processes should be adjusted and fully implemented. The decision to opt for a non-invasive method reflects the intention to find an ecologically, economically and ethically sound solution.
The technology:
The in-ovo sex determination technology from Munich-based company Orbem and its automation partner Vencomatic Group allows the interior of an intact egg to be examined in order to determine the sex of the embryo. The intelligent imaging technology «Genus Focus» is used, combining accelerated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This takes place on days 11 and 12 of incubation, i.e. before the onset of pain perception in the embryo.
Costs:
Players throughout the value chain have committed to incorporating the costs of this transition into their pricing calculations from 1 January 2025. The total costs of in-ovo sex determination will be disclosed transparently and will amount to 3 Swiss francs per female chick (excluding VAT). According to GalloSuisse, eggs suitable for sale through direct marketing are expected to increase in price by up to 1.5 centimes (Rappen) depending on the category. Each party remains independent and free in its retail pricing decisions, as has been the case in the past.
The first country in the world to ban cages is now the first to ban chick culling:
Switzerland aims to lead the way and is the first country in the world where the entire egg sector can present an independent, comprehensive and mature solution. This has been made possible thanks to the patience and trust of policymakers, authorities and consumers. Representatives across the value chain — from hatcheries, through egg marketing companies and retailers, to consumer organisations — are convinced that together they have found a viable and credible solution to a societal concern. Time will tell whether it proves economically sustainable.
Source:
-. Meilenstein beim Tierwohl in der Schweizer Eierproduktion (Milestone in animal welfare in Swiss egg production ) www.GalloSuisse.ch 30th august 2024