Request for an opinion on including poultry meat under the measures to combat deforestation

1.7.2022

Question for written answer  E-002385/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Marco Dreosto (ID), Simona Baldassarre (ID), Massimo Casanova (ID), Rosanna Conte (ID), Gianantonio Da Re (ID), Marco Campomenosi (ID), Susanna Ceccardi (ID), Matteo Adinolfi (ID), Gianna Gancia (ID), Paolo Borchia (ID)

Minimising the risk of deforestation in connection with products marketed in the EU is an ethical and rational aim being pursued across Europe by, among others, associations representing poultry farmers, who would like to see the current Commission proposal to ban the use of soya produced in deforested areas extended to include a ban on its use in birds reared for poultry meat. Including poultry among the products having to comply with this regulatory proposal would mean that third countries wishing to place poultry meat on the EU market would have to prove the animals had not been fed with soya whose cultivation had contributed to deforestation. Obliging producers to do this would encourage the use of soya not grown on deforested land, while at the same time shielding European farmers from a competitive disadvantage.

In the light of the above, can the Commission state whether, including in terms of the aims of the Green Deal, it sees a need to include poultry among the products governed by the regulatory arrangements and to shield European producers against any competitive disadvantages with third countries?