June 21, 2025 | 02:14 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Sunday- 14:58, 11/12/2022

European poultry meat sector launches sustainability charter

(VAN) The European poultry meat producers organisation, Avec, has announced the launch of its Sustainability Charter, which it says symbolises the commitment of the European broiler meat sector toward a more sustainable future.
The Sustainability Charter takes the form of a list of ambitions put forward by the sector in respect of the environment, packaging, animal welfare and antibiotics. Photo: Atelier 68

The Sustainability Charter takes the form of a list of ambitions put forward by the sector in respect of the environment, packaging, animal welfare and antibiotics. Photo: Atelier 68

Avec president, Gert Jan Oplaat: “In the context of the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy in which the 27 EU member states committed to turning the EU into the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, the EU poultry sector wants to contribute to a more sustainable and resilient world. We aim for the best balance between the 3 pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and economical. Our poultry sector is part of the solution, moving forward in ensuring sustainable and available food.”

Sustainability and resilience of the sector

Oplaat points out that the Avec Sustainability Charter aims to provide a clear roadmap on the key attributes leading to the best balance between the 3 pillars of sustainability on the one hand and guaranteeing the resilience of the sector in the future on the other. “The key will be to find a point of equilibrium between the pillars, and not to have an improvement on only 1 pillar with indirect negative consequences on the other pillars,” said Oplaat, adding that at a time where food security has become a major preoccupation in the EU and the world, following the war in Ukraine, Avec members are “committing to maintaining a sufficient level of production to feed the EU and the world population in a sustainable way with qualitative and affordable broiler meat”.

According to Oplaat, it is essential that consumers have a choice, too: “We want to be able to meet our sustainability goals, stay profitable as an industry, and offer a diverse choice of products to the consumer, from conventional to organic production, for every income.”

Ambitions

The Avec Sustainability Charter, which aims to pave the way for continuous improvement, takes the form of a list of ambitions put forward by the sector in the following areas:

Environmental impact

Packaging

Animal welfare

Antibiotics

The journey to sustainability and resilience in each EU country is different and must be considered and respected, said Oplaat. The Charter is designed to evolve over the years and amongst Avec’s members. In parallel, Avec invited its members to translate and adapt the Sustainability Charter to their national strategy towards sustainability.

The sustainable and resilient future of the EU agricultural sector is in the hands of producers, consumers, and policymakers. The European Union and its institutions will play a crucial role in the successful implementation of the Avec Sustainability Charter, and Avec and its members believe they each part of the solution.

Political decisions should strive for the best balance between the 3 pillars of sustainability. Oplaat: “To that end, Avec would like to submit to the European Commission a list of policy measures that are required to ensure the success of our Sustainable Charter 2022.” According to his organisation, a few important points are highlighted:

Imported products must mirror the requirements imposed on EU products – also on animal welfare.

Guarantees for a level playing field for meat imported from third countries at EU borders by increasing the frequencies of the controls should be provided.

Investment in better control of residues in meat imported from third countries to ensure EU standards are met.

Audit missions in third countries should lead to control of the whole supply chain from the hatchery to the slaughterhouse. Controls on the farm and feed mill are particularly important.

New legislation on mandatory labelling of origin for all products containing poultry meat (especially in out-of-home consumption) must be introduced.

Tr.D

(Poultryworld)

New outbreaks of Newcastle disease wreak havoc on Poland’s poultry industry

New outbreaks of Newcastle disease wreak havoc on Poland’s poultry industry

(VAN) Poultry production in Poland, which has only started recovering from devastating bird flu outbreaks earlier this year, has been hit by a series of outbreaks of Newcastle disease, with the veterinary situation deteriorating rapidly.

China demands sensitive information for rare earth exports, companies warn

China demands sensitive information for rare earth exports, companies warn

(VAN) Extensive licensing requirements raise concerns about intellectual property theft.

Salmonella outbreak linked to California egg distributor sickens 79 people

Salmonella outbreak linked to California egg distributor sickens 79 people

(VAN) As of Friday, a salmonella outbreak linked to a California egg producer had sickened at least 79 people. Of the infected people, 21 hospitalizations were reported, U.S. health officials said.

Ukraine: Rural communities need immediate support to plant and produce food amid ongoing war

Ukraine: Rural communities need immediate support to plant and produce food amid ongoing war

(VAN) With the war ongoing, many Ukrainian farmers and rural farming families face limited access to their land due to mines and lack the financial resources to purchase needed agricultural inputs.

How the fertiliser king of WA grew a $5b fortune with no one noticing

How the fertiliser king of WA grew a $5b fortune with no one noticing

(VAN) Vikas Rambal has quietly built a $5 billion business empire in manufacturing, property and solar, and catapulted onto the Rich List.

Gaza’s agricultural infrastructure continues to deteriorate at alarming rate

Gaza’s agricultural infrastructure continues to deteriorate at alarming rate

(VAN) Available cropland now at less than five percent, according to latest geospatial assessment from FAO and UNOSAT.

Alt Carbon scores $12M seed to scale carbon removal in India

Alt Carbon scores $12M seed to scale carbon removal in India

(VAN) Alt Carbon has raised $12 million in a seed round as it plans to scale its carbon dioxide removal work in the South Asian nation.

Read more