Study: Costs & implications of the ECC in the EU

Introduction

Numerous companies across Europe, spanning from retailers to restaurants and catering businesses, have already signed up to the European Chicken Committment (ECC), a framework of standards made by animal welfare NGOs, which aims to enhance animal welfare.

The ECC commits its signatories to apply several requirements such as the use of slower-growing chicken breeds, a lower stocking density etc, to 100% of the (fresh, frozen and processed) poultry throughout their supply chain before 2026.

But what will the consequences of a shift to the ECC standards be?

As ECC compliance progresses, crucial questions regarding its environmental implications and its effects on chicken meat production remain unanswered.

To shed light on these issues, AVEC has commissioned a study from RSK ADAS Ltd (ADAS) – a consultancy firm specialising in agriculture – to assess the likely impact of fully adopting the ECC requirements across EU chicken production and determine the consequences.

Our proposal

At AVEC, we are committed to the continuous improvement of animal welfare in balance with economic and environmental sustainability. 

Alternative methods to enhance animal welfare without imposing undue financial burdens on consumers or exacerbating environmental concerns are necessary. The EU poultry sector advocates for: