"Export hit" killing chicks
Germany has been very successful in exporting chick killing since the beginning of this year. The latest statistics from Market Info Eggs and Poultry (MEG) show that since the ban came into force in Germany, more and more chicks have been imported from abroad. Almost 40% of domestic hatcheries have died quietly since 2021 and there is no sign of slowing down this trend. The Bundesverband Ei eV (BVEi), with its chairman Henner Schönecke, is making clear demands on Federal Minister Cem Özdemir in order to end the killing of chicks in a sustainable way throughout Europe and to compensate for the competitive disadvantages for German hatcheries.
Since January 1, 2022, most chicks are no longer hatched in Germany. From January to March 2022, 12,37 million hatching eggs were laid in German hatcheries to produce laying chicks, which was a third fewer than in the first quarter of 2021 and even 54,9% fewer than in the first three months of 2020. That is why German laying hen farmers are forced to resort to imported pullets, especially from the Netherlands. Recently, the imports of pullets from Austria and Poland have also become increasingly important.
“The chick-killing ban has only put the problem on the back burner. If the hatched chicks have to endure a kilometer-long transport route from abroad while the brother cocks are slaughtered elsewhere, there can be no question of animal welfare,” says Henner Schönecke, Chairman of the BVEi. The industry is therefore making urgent demands on the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL):
End chick killing in Europe
"If Germany stands alone in its pioneering role in Europe, nobody will be helped. There is an urgent need for uniform, Europe-wide standards,” said Schönecke. Only if the domestic hatcheries can operate under the same conditions as your competitors abroad can a high level of animal welfare be permanently guaranteed in the EU and thus in Germany.
to create transparency
“Many foods contain eggs. It must be clear to consumers whether or not chicks have been killed for their product. This is only possible with clear labeling on all products,” demands the BVEi chairman. Otherwise, the ban on killing chicks would dilute the lofty ambitions.
Financial support for hatcheries in Germany
The purely national phase-out of chick killing poses insurmountable challenges for the industry. Not all hatcheries were able to continue operating in accordance with the legal requirements. This is also reflected in the current data from the Federal Statistical Office. While there were still 2021 hatcheries for laying chicks in March 19, in March 2022 there were only 12 companies.
Schönecke's appeal to political Berlin is urgent: "Changes rarely come without challenges. If you want a real improvement in animal welfare, you have to face up to these efforts. Now the federal government is called upon to end its national solo effort and to enforce EU-wide framework conditions.”
About the ZDG
The Central Association of the German Poultry Industry e. V., as a professional umbrella and umbrella organization, represents the interests of the German poultry industry at federal and EU level vis-à-vis political, official and professional organisations, the public and abroad. The approximately 8.000 members are organized in federal and state associations.
