Banning chick culling in the EU
26.9.2024
Question for written answer E-001843/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Pascal Arimont (PPE)
Each year, 330 million day-old male chicks are killed in the EU directly after hatching because they can neither lay eggs nor provide enough meat. This widespread practice not only causes considerable suffering, but also contravenes Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which recognises animals as sentient beings. Some Member States, such as France and Germany, have prohibited this practice. In-ovo sexing technologies are available on the market to determine the sex of the embryo at limited cost. They work before day 13 of incubation, in line with the latest scientific evidence on pain perception, which shows that embryonic pain sensitivity starts from day 13 of incubation.
- 1.Will the new Commission’s proposals for new regulations on the welfare of farmed animals include a ban on chick culling, with the implementation of in-ovo sexing before day 13 of incubation, in the egg sector, thus harmonising EU legislation and avoiding a distortion of competition?
- 2.If so, when does the Commission plan to publish the draft of this new legislation?
Submitted: 26.9.2024