AVEC Calls on Policymakers to Protect the EU Poultry Sector Amid Global Trade Challenges

Brussels, Belgium – AVEC, the Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade in the EU, concluded its 66th General Assembly last week hosted by VIP-België vzw in Bruges, gathering 200 participants. Against the backdrop of Ukraine’s accession talks with the EU and the controversial Mercosur deal, this year’s conference, themed “The Importance of Trade in a Changing World,” focused on the increasing global trade complexities faced by the European poultry sector.

High-level speakers and experts provided valuable insights into the future of the sector and broader agricultural policy trends, addressing critical issues such as the evolving landscape of animal welfare, the importance of regulatory reciprocity in trade agreements, and the pressing need for a stronger European approach to trade and food security. As the European poultry sector faces these challenges, AVEC’s message is clear: the EU must prioritise the strategic role of food production and safeguard the European poultry sector against unfair competition.

Strategic Importance of Food Security

“Food and agricultural production play a strategic role in the new geopolitical context as an essential part of European security and we must ensure its resilience in the face of global challenges” said Gert Jan Oplaat, AVEC’s President, citing the Strategic Dialogue for Agriculture when opening the assembly. “In a world filled with conflict and uncertainty, food has become an unmatched asset, a “strategic weapon” that the EU must leverage wisely,” Oplaat underscored. “To that end, EU poultry production is essential for maintaining self-sufficiency in the EU and securing our food supply,” he concluded.

Denis Redonnet, Deputy Director-General for Trade at the European Commission, reiterated the pivotal role of trade in defending European interests in the new geopolitical reality. “It is important that there is capacity to produce in the EU, not only for the domestic market but also for third countries,” he stressed.

In his presentation, Professor Rob de Wijk of Leiden University highlighted the complexities of the global food system, noting that it is built on intricate interdependencies that are progressively at risk. “Protectionism, unilateralism, and economic warfare are now threatening the global food system,” he said, warning that the Zero Hunger objective of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is unlikely to be met. “Food security is not merely an agricultural issue but a crucial geopolitical concern. We simply cannot reduce the output of a sector if we want autonomy,” emphasised de Wijk.

Ensuring Fair Trade for the EU Poultry Sector

Nan-Dirk Mulder from Rabobank International provided an outlook for the global and European poultry sectors, noting the growing demand for poultry meat worldwide: “Overall global animal protein demand is expected to rise by 14% in the next 10 years. Demand for poultry is predicted to grow by 22% due to its lower price point, cultural preferences and higher sustainability in production.”

“Our sector operates under the highest standards of animal welfare, biosecurity and sustainability in the world, yet we face competition from third countries with much lower requirements,” said Birthe Steenberg, AVEC’s Secretary General. AVEC reaffirms the EU poultry sector’s commitment to a sustainable, innovative and transparent production that delivers high-quality, accessible poultry meat and aligns with consumer expectations. However, “without reciprocity in trade agreements and a clear labelling of origin (in HORECA and further processed products) European poultry producers will fail to compete with external markets that do not adhere to the same rigorous standards,” Steenberg stated.

Call to Action for EU’s policymakers

As we look ahead to the 2024 – 2029 European legislative term that just begun, AVEC declares its support to the recommendations of the Strategic Dialogue for Agriculture for greater coherence between the Commission’s trade and sustainability policies, reviewing the current approach to conduct negotiations on agriculture and agri-food, recognising the strategic relevance of agriculture and food products in trade negotiations and stronger leadership in the reform of the global trade policy framework.

The association calls for an enhanced focus on cooperation and robust policy decisions moving forward, based on reciprocity in trade agreements, which reflect the EU’s high standards and support EU producers. “The EU poultry sector is a critical part of Europe’s food self-sufficiency. We urge policymakers to defend it against unfair competition and ensure the EU remains a global leader in sustainable food production,” concluded AVEC’s President, Gert-Jan Oplaat.

AVEC Annual Report 2024 Released

In conjunction with the General Assembly, AVEC released its 2024 Annual Report, which provides comprehensive insights into the European poultry sector’s priorities, challenges, and achievements over the past year. The report also outlines the association’s strategic goals for the future. Download the full report here.

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For further information, please contact:

Birthe Steenberg, Secretary General
Email: bs@avec-poultry.eu

Maria Nikolaidi, Communications Manager
Email: mn@avec-poultry.eu, Tel: +32468224193