Farm Animals

Poultry Welfare Reform in the European Union

The EU is developing new animal welfare legislation that could significantly improve conditions for the billions of chickens, turkeys and ducks farmed across member states.

Key Facts

The EU currently has specific welfare legislation for pigs, calves and laying hens but not broilers at EU level
The European Commission's Farm to Fork Strategy committed to revising animal welfare legislation
Better welfare for broilers would require higher space allowances, enrichment and natural light
Over 6 billion broilers are farmed in the EU annually, making welfare improvements highly impactful
Industry lobbying has slowed progress on welfare reforms in the EU legislative process

Welfare Considerations

EU-level welfare reform for broilers and other poultry species represents one of the highest leverage welfare interventions possible given the scale of affected animals. The current absence of binding EU standards for broiler welfare means member states have widely varying practices. A strong EU broiler directive requiring space, environmental enrichment, and breed welfare could prevent suffering for billions of animals annually.

What You Can Do

Contact MEPs to express support for ambitious EU animal welfare legislation in the Farm to Fork Strategy
Support organisations like Eurogroup for Animals that advocate for EU welfare reform
Engage with supermarkets about their EU-sourced poultry welfare requirements
Choose products meeting higher welfare standards such as the European Chicken Commitment
Support consumer campaigns that maintain pressure on EU decision-makers for welfare reform