P6_TA(2006)0053

Protection of chickens kept for meat production *

European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council directive laying down minimum rules for the protection of chickens kept for meat production (COM(2005)0221 — C6-0190/2005 — 2005/0099(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2005)0221) [1],

- having regard to Article 37 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C6-0190/2005),

- having regard to Rule 51 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and the opinion of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (A6-0017/2006),

1. Approves the Commission proposal as amended;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

4. Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to amend the Commission proposal substantially;

5. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission.

TEXT PROPOSED BY THE COMMISSION | AMENDMENTS BY PARLIAMENT |

Amendment 1

Recital 1a (new)

| (1a) Requirements as to the result should be used to reach a high level of animal welfare. The scoring system for mortality and foot pad lesions indicates whether a good level of animal welfare is reached. Other appropriate indicators are currently being developed through scientific research and should be included once available. |

Amendment 2

Recital 9

(9) It is important that persons attending to chickens have an understanding of the relevant animal welfare requirements and receive appropriate training to perform their tasks. | (9) It is important that persons attending to chickens have an understanding of the relevant animal welfare requirements and receive appropriate training to perform their tasks. Where such persons lack formal training, the competent authorities should determine whether their professional experience is sufficient. |

Amendment 3

Recital 10

(10) In establishing rules for the protection of chickens kept for meat production, a balance should be kept between the various aspects to be taken into consideration, as regards animal welfare and health, economic and social considerations and the environmental impact. | (10) In establishing rules for the protection of chickens kept for meat production, a balance should be kept between the various aspects to be taken into consideration, as regards animal welfare and health, economic and social considerations and the environmental impact. Notwithstanding the above, in accordance with the Treaty, economic and social considerations should not take precedence over animal welfare and health. |

Amendment 4

Recital 12

(12) Various voluntary schemes already exist in different Member States for the labelling of chicken meat based on compliance with animal welfare standards and other parameters. | (12) Various voluntary schemes already exist in different Member States for the labelling of chicken meat based on compliance with animal welfare standards and other parameters. Such schemes should be strongly encouraged by producers' organisations, the Member States' competent authorities, and the Commission, because they meet a growing demand from consumers. The clarity of such information enables customers to make responsible choices at the time of purchase, which is in the interests of farmers, consumers and animals. |

Amendment 5

Recital 13

(13) In light of the experience gained in applying such voluntary labelling schemes, it is appropriate for the Commission to submit a report on the possible introduction of a specific harmonised mandatory labelling regime at Community level for chicken meat, meat products and preparations based on compliance with animal welfare standards, including the possible socio-economic implications, the effects on the Community's economic partners and compliance of such a labelling regime with World Trade Organisation rules. | (13) In light of the experience gained in applying such voluntary labelling schemes, it is appropriate for the Commission to submit, no later than six months after the date of adoption of this Directive, a report on the possible introduction of a specific harmonised mandatory labelling regime at Community level for chicken meat, meat products and preparations based on compliance with animal welfare standards, including the possible socio-economic implications, the effects on the Community's economic partners and compliance of such a labelling regime with World Trade Organisation rules. |

Amendment 6

Recital 14

(14) It is appropriate for the Commission to submit a report based on new scientific evidence taking into account further research and practical experience in order to improve further the welfare of chickens kept for meat production including the parent stock of such chickens, in particular as regards aspects not covered by this Directive. That report should specifically consider the influence of genetic parameters on identified deficiencies resulting in poor welfare of chickens kept for meat production. | (14) It is appropriate for the Commission to submit a report based on new scientific evidence taking into account further research and practical experience in order to improve further the welfare of chickens kept for meat production including the parent stock of such chickens, in particular as regards aspects not covered by this Directive. That report should specifically consider the influence of genetic parameters on identified deficiencies resulting in poor welfare of chickens kept for meat production. That report should also consider the financial cost arising from the removal of the negative impact of genetic parameters. |

Amendment 7

Recital 14a (new)

| (14a) The development of new techniques for measuring the welfare of chickens kept for meat production should be monitored and their usefulness should be assessed with a view to laying down clear parameters and minimising the cost of the measures taken. |

Amendment 8

Recital 15

(15) Member States should lay down rules on penalties applicable to infringements of the provisions of this Directive and ensure that they are implemented. Those penalties must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. | (15) Member States should lay down harmonised rules on penalties applicable to infringements of the provisions of this Directive and should ensure that they are implemented. Those penalties must be effective, proportionate, progressive and dissuasive. Imports of chickens from third countries, which come from holdings that do not observe rules on the welfare of chickens for meat production equivalent to those effective in the EU, should also be regulated and, where appropriate, prohibited. |

Amendment 9

Recital 15a (new)

| (15a) The Commission should vigorously defend the importance of animal welfare during negotiations within the World Trade Organisation (WTO), with a view to securing a worldwide consensus on the matter. A high standard of animal welfare is essential for sustainable farming, and respect for animal welfare should be an established criterion in negotiations on non-trade concerns (NTCs). |

Amendment 10

Recital 15b (new)

| (15b) The Commission should endeavour to establish a rule under which third-country suppliers of poultry meat must meet the same animal welfare requirements as EU chicken breeders. |

Amendment 11

Article 3, paragraph 1

1. The Member States shall ensure that the owner or keeper complies with the requirements set out in Annex I. | 1. The Member States shall ensure that the owner or keeper complies with the requirements set out in Annex I. In assessing compliance with those requirements by both low-density and high-density establishments, account shall be taken of the various stages of production, on the one hand, and the various climatic conditions and the methods of keeping chickens, on the other. |

Amendment 12

Article 3, paragraph 2

2. The Member States shall ensure that the stocking density of chickens per square metre of useable area ("stocking density") in establishments or single units of an establishment does not exceed 30 kilogrammes liveweight. | 2. The Member States shall ensure that the stocking density of chickens per square metre of useable area ("stocking density") in establishments or single units of an establishment does not exceed 30 kilogrammes liveweight. The maximum stocking density shall be measured as an average of the last three flocks. A margin of two days shall be permitted in the event of an emergency. However, the stocking density for any single flock shall not exceed 32 kilogrammes per liveweight. |

Amendment 13

Article 3, paragraph 3, subparagraph 1

3. By way of derogation from paragraph 2, the Member States may provide that chickens be kept at a stocking density not exceeding 38 kilogrammes liveweight in establishments or single units of an establishment provided that the owner or keeper complies with the requirements set out in Annex II, in addition to the requirements set out in Annex I. | 3. By way of derogation from paragraph 2, the Member States may provide that chickens be kept at a stocking density not exceeding 38 kilogrammes liveweight in establishments or single units of an establishment provided that the owner or keeper complies with the requirements set out in Annex II, in addition to the requirements set out in Annex I. The maximum stocking density shall be measured as an average of the last three flocks. A margin of two days shall be permitted in the event of an emergency. However, the stocking density for any single flock shall not exceed 40 kilogrammes per liveweight. |

| From 1 January 2013, the stocking density may not exceed 34 kilogrammes liveweight. This maximum stocking density shall be measured as an average of the last three flocks. A margin of two days shall be permitted in the event of an emergency. However, the stocking density for any single flock shall not exceed 36 kilogrammes per liveweight. |

Amendment 14

Article 3, paragraph 3, subparagraph 2, introductory sentence

In such cases of derogation, the Member State shall ensure that: | Monitoring shall be extended to all establishments falling within the scope of this Directive. The welfare of chickens shall be monitored even in establishments where lower stocking densities are maintained, because animal welfare is not guaranteed by stocking density alone but is affected by other factors. Member States shall therefore ensure that: |

Amendment 15

Article 3, paragraph 3, subparagraph 2, point (ba) (new)

| (ba)the costs of the official controls shall be borne by the competent authority. |

Amendment 16

Article 4, paragraph 3

3. Member States shall ensure that a system is established for the control and approval of training courses. The owner or keeper of the chickens shall hold a certificate which is recognised by the competent authority of the Member State, attesting to the completion of such training courses or having acquired experience equivalent to such training. | 3. Member States shall ensure that a system is established for the control and approval of training courses. The owner or keeper of the chickens shall hold a certificate which is recognised by the competent authority of the Member State, certifying the competence of the holder with respect to the subject areas detailed in Annex V. |

Amendment 17

Article 5, paragraph 1

Not later than two years from the date of adoption of this Directive, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and to the Council a report on the possible introduction of a specific harmonised mandatory labelling regime at Community level for chicken meat, meat products and preparations based on compliance with animal welfare standards. | Not later than six months from the date of adoption of this Directive, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and to the Council a report on the possible introduction of a specific harmonised mandatory labelling regime at Community level for chicken meat, meat products and preparations based on compliance with animal welfare standards, including clear information concerning production standards and the origin of the product. Labels shall, in particular, indicate the chicken stocking density at the holding concerned. Labels shall also specify the animal's age and other parameters which consumers wish to be taken into account. |

Amendment 42

Article 5a (new)

| Article 5a Stimulation of self-regulatory behaviour The Commission shall carry out activities to persuade EU chicken-meat importers to demand the same level of animal welfare standards from their suppliers. |

Amendment 18

Article 6, paragraph 1, subparagraph 1

1. Not later than five years from the date of adoption of this Directive, Member States shall submit to the Commission a summary of the data collected as provided for in points 1 and 2 of Annex IV. | 1. Not later than two years from the date of adoption of this Directive, Member States shall submit to the Commission a summary of the data collected as provided for in points 1 and 2 of Annex IV. |

Amendments 19 and 50

Article 6, paragraph 1, subparagraph 2

Based on that data and on a scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and to the Council a report concerning the influence of genetic parameters on identified deficiencies resulting in poor welfare of chickens. That report shall be accompanied by appropriate legislative proposals, if necessary. | Based on a scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority, and no later than four years from the date of the adoption of this Directive, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and to the Council a report concerning the influence of genetic parameters on identified deficiencies and all aspects of health resulting in poor welfare of chicken in broiler and breeding keepings, concerning the loss of genetic diversity in chicken breeding and including a cost-benefit analysis of the use of various breeding strains with regard to animal health, resistance to diseases, necessary use of biocides and veterinary medical products. That report shall be submitted not later than 30 months after the adoption of this directive and shall be accompanied by appropriate legislative proposals, if necessary. Such proposals shall be in keeping with the principle that genetic selection must not restrict, diminish or threaten animal welfare potential. |

| The adverse effects of earlier genetic selection must also be eliminated. |

Amendment 20

Article 6, paragraph 1, subparagraph 2a (new)

| The report and legislative proposals shall consider both the genetics of broilers and the welfare conditions under which parent stock is raised, and shall consider options such as farming birds of recognised slow-growing strains, restrictions on weight gain of birds per day, a minimum age for slaughter and the prohibition of the use of broilers from parent stock that have to be restrictively fed. |

Amendment 21

Article 6, paragraph 2a (new)

| 2a. Two years after the date of adoption of this Directive, the Commission shall conduct an assessment of the impact of its provisions on the welfare of chickens kept for meat production and of its economic impact in each Member State. |

Amendment 22

Article 6, paragraph 2b (new)

| 2b. Five years after the date of adoption of this Directive, the Commission shall submit an assessment report covering the optimisation of the choice of the welfare parameters for chickens kept for meat production and appropriate welfare measurement techniques, with particular reference to parameters concerning behavioural, metabolic, and skeletal disorders. The implementing method and the cost of welfare measurement techniques shall be covered by this assessment, in the interests of farmers and consumers. No more than six months after the publication of the Commission's assessment, it shall, where appropriate, be followed by proposals for amendments to the annexes of this Directive. |

Amendment 23

Article 7

The Member States shall lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of the national provisions adopted pursuant o this Directive and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. The penalties provided for must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. The Member States shall notify those provisions to the Commission by [ 1 December 2006] at the latest and shall notify it without delay of any subsequent amendment affecting them. | The Member States shall lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infringements of the national provisions adopted pursuant to this Directive and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. The penalties provided for must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. Except in clear cases of abandonment or maltreatment, which require immediate action, the penalties shall be progressive. The Member States shall notify those provisions to the Commission by [ 1 December 2006] at the latest and shall notify it without delay of any subsequent amendment affecting them. |

Amendment 55

Annex I, point 2

2. Feed shall be continuously available and must not be withdrawn from chickens more than 12 hours before the expected slaughter time. | 2. Feed shall be continuously available or be meal fed and must not be withdrawn from chickens more than 12 hours before the expected slaughter time. |

Amendment 56

Annex I, point 3, subparagraph 1a (new)

| After a building is depopulated, all litter must be removed, the establishment appropriately sanitised (cleaned and disinfected) and new birds provided with clean litter. |

Amendment 25

Annex I, subtitle and point 4

Ventilation and heating | Ventilation, heating and cooling systems |

4. Ventilation shall be sufficient to avoid overheating and, where necessary in combination with heating systems, to remove moisture. | 4. Ventilation and heating requirements shall take account of the stage of production, the climatic conditions and the chicken-rearing methods used. |

| The owner or keeper shall ensure that each unit of an establishment is equipped with ventilation, heating and cooling systems designed, constructed and operated in such a way that: (a)the concentration of NH3 does not exceed 20 ppm and the concentration of CO2 does not exceed 3000 ppm measured at the level of the chickens' heads;(b)ventilation is sufficient to avoid overheating and, where necessary, in combination with heating systems, to remove moisture;(c)when the outside temperature measured in the shade exceeds 30° C, the inside temperature does not exceed the outside temperature by more than 3° C; and(d)When the outside temperature is below 10° C, the relative humidity inside the unit of the establishment does not exceed 70% |

| The ventilation, heating and cooling system shall be inspected at the intervals indicated in the documentation required under point 2 of Annex II. |

Amendment 26

Annex I, point 6

6. All buildings shall have light with an intensity of at least 20 lux during the light periods, measured at bird eye level and illuminating the whole of the floor area. A temporary reduction of the light level may be allowed when necessary following veterinary advice. | 6. All buildings shall have non-flickering light with an intensity of at least 50 lux during the light periods, measured at bird eye level and illuminating the whole of the floor area. A temporary reduction of the light level may be allowed when necessary following veterinary advice. |

Amendment 27

Annex I, point 7

7. Within three days from the time when the chickens are placed in the building and until three days before the foreseen time of slaughter, the light must follow a 24-hour rhythm and include periods of darkness lasting at least 8 hours in total, with at least one uninterrupted period of darkness of at least 4 hours. | 7. Within seven days from the time when the chickens are placed in the building and until three days before the foreseen time of slaughter, the light must follow a 24-hour rhythm and include periods of darkness lasting at least six hours in total, with at least one uninterrupted period of darkness of at least 4 hours. |

Amendment 28

Annexe I, point 8

8. All chickens kept on the establishment must be inspected at least twice a day. The keeper shall establish a procedure which ensures that the inspecting person passes all chickens within a distance of not more than three metres. | 8. All chickens kept on the establishment must be inspected at least twice a day, or at least once a day if the establishment is equipped with an advanced monitoring system (computerised camera monitoring), which takes into account a variety of behavioural and health-related parameters. Special attention should be paid to symptoms indicating a reduced level of animal welfare (including animal health). A veterinary surgeon shall be contacted when necessary. |

Amendment 29

Annex I, point 9a (new)

| 9a. The competent authority shall carry out an inspection at least once a year. |

Amendment 60

Annex I, point 10

10. Those parts of buildings, equipment or utensils which are in contact with the chickens shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected every time after depopulation is carried out, before a new flock is introduced into the unit. | 10. Those parts of buildings, equipment or utensils which are in contact with the chickens shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected every time after depopulation is carried out, before a new flock is introduced into the unit. All-in/all-out systems with sanitation of the unit between consecutive groups are strongly recommended. |

Amendment 30

Annex I, point 11(b)

(b) the origin of the chickens; | (b) the origin and species of the chickens; |

Amendment 31

Annex I, point 12, paragraph 2

However, in order to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism, the Member States may authorise beak trimming provided it is carried out by qualified staff on chickens that are less than 10 days old. In addition, Member States may authorise the castration of male chickens. The castration shall only be carried out under veterinary supervision by personnel who have received a specific training authorised by the competent authority. | deleted |

Amendment 32

Annex II, point 3

Requirements for the establishments and the personnel 3. The owner or keeper shall ensure that each unit of an establishment is equipped with ventilation, heating and cooling systems designed, constructed and operated in such a way that: (a)the concentration of NH3 does not exceed 20 ppm and the concentration of CO2 does not exceed 3000 ppm measured at the level of the chickens heads;(b)the inside temperature, when the outside temperature measured in the shade exceeds 30° C, does not exceed this outside temperature by more than 3° C;(c)when the outside temperature is below 10° C, the relative humidity inside the unit of the establishment does not exceed 70 %.The ventilation, heating and cooling system shall be inspected at the intervals indicated in the documentation required under point 2 (c). | deleted |

Amendment 33

Annex III, point 1, introductory part

1. The competent authority shall carry out inspections to verify: | 1. The competent authority shall, carry out inspections at least annually of all broiler establishments (whether they have low or high stocking density), to verify: |

Amendment 34

Annex III, point 2, paragraph 2

In addition, the competent authority may order the reduction of the maximum stocking density for the establishment or units of establishments concerned to an extent adequate to correct the deficiency, normally to a stocking density of between 30 and 38 kilogrammes liveweight, when an inspection finds that the requirements set out in Annex II are not complied with or when receiving a notification under point 3 of Annex IV indicating a severe deficiency or a second notification of a deficiency previously notified for the same establishment. The competent authority shall inform the owner or keeper of the decision taken, and in particular of the moment from when the reduction in stocking densities shall take effect. | The competent authority may, however, order the reduction of the maximum stocking density for the establishment or units of establishments concerned to an extent adequate to correct the deficiency. The scale of such reductions shall be based on the average mortality rate and foot pad dermatitis score for three successive flocks, in accordance with Annex IV, points 3 and 4. There are three categories of flock deficiency: Group 1: no deficiency or a small number of deficiencies (from 0 to one third of the scale established on the basis of Annex IV, points 3 and 4). In such cases, no requirements other than that laid down in paragraph 1 of this point shall apply;Group 2: a moderate number of deficiencies (from one third to two thirds of the scale established on the basis of Annex IV, points 3 and 4). If, following the detection of deficiencies in a flock, there are no improvements resulting in a return to Group 1 status, the farmer shall be notified of the obligation to reduce the maximum stocking density for the next flock by one kilogramme per square metre. The reduced density shall remain in force until such time as the establishment's score returns to the level provided for under Group 1;Group 3: a large number of deficiencies (from two thirds to the top of the scale established on the basis of Annex IV, points 3 and 4). Following the detection of deficiencies in a flock, the farmer shall be notified of the obligation to reduce the maximum stocking density for the flock by one kilogramme per square metre.If the farmer does not follow the procedure laid down in Annex III, point 3, a new examination shall be carried out between the 90th and 120th days following the date on which the reduction provided for in the previous subparagraph was implemented. If the inspection shows that the situation has not improved, a further reduction of one kilogramme per square metre shall be made. The same procedure shall be repeated until the establishment's score returns to the level laid down for Group 1. The competent authority shall inform the owner or keeper of the decision taken and in particular of the time from which the reduction of the stocking density shall take effect. |

Amendment 35

Annex III, point 3

3. The owner or keeper of the establishment may request a revision of the order of reduction of the maximum stocking densities as referred to in point 2 provided that | 3. At the request of the owner or keeper of the establishment, the order of reduction of the maximum stocking densities as referred to in point 2 shall be lifted totally and immediately by the competent authority provided that: |

(a)the two previous flocks complied with the limits set out in point 3 of Annex IV; and | (a)the previous flock complied with the limits set out in point 3 of Annex IV; and |

(b)the veterinarian attending the establishment has given a favourable opinion on the request. | (b)the veterinarian attending the establishment has given a favourable opinion on the request. |

The competent authority shall decide on the request on the basis of an inspection of the establishment, including an evaluation of the documentation provided in accordance with points 1 and 2 of Annex II. | |

Amendment 36

Annex IV, point 1, paragraph 1

1. At the slaughterhouse each consignment shall undergo under the supervision of the official veterinarian an inspection of a representative sample of at least 200 chickens concerning the occurrence of foot pad dermatitis, establishing a scoring in accordance with point 4. | 1. At the slaughterhouse each consignment shall undergo under the supervision of the official veterinarian an inspection of a representative sample of 100 chickens concerning the occurrence of foot pad dermatitis, establishing a scoring in accordance with point 4. |

Amendment 37

Annexe IV, point 4, paragraph 2a (new)

| The Commission shall provide detailed written descriptions of lesions in groups 1 and 2, illustrated by photographs, in order to establish an EU-wide classification. |

Amendment 38

Annex IV, point 4, paragraph 2b (new)

| A transitional period of at least two years shall be granted for the implementation of the evaluation and scoring system in respect of foot pad dermatitis. |

Amendment 39

Annex V, point (b)

(b)physiology, in particular drinking and feeding needs, animal behaviour and the concept of stress; | (b)physiology, in particular drinking and feeding needs, animal behaviour including signs of normal behaviour, abnormal behaviour, and fear, and the concept of stress; |

Amendment 40

Annex V, point (c)

(c)the practical aspects of the handling of chickens, including catching and transport; | (c)the practical aspects of the compassionate handling of chickens, including catching and transport; |

Amendment 41

Annex V, point (d)

(d)emergency care for chickens, emergency killing and culling | (d)the recognition of signs of common diseases and the appropriate remedies emergency care for chickens, emergency killing and culling. |

[1] Not yet published in OJ.

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