Animal health and welfare
The health and welfare of poultry are at the core of AVEC and of European poultry production. Our members work every day to protect animals, prevent disease, and continuously improve welfare across farming, transport and slaughter.
AVEC’s Animal Health and Welfare Working Group brings together national associations and experts to:
– support science-based, proportionate and workable EU rules for poultry, and
– drive continuous improvement, including through outcome-based welfare indicators and innovation.
What we focus on
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) remains the most disruptive animal-health challenge for the European poultry sector. AVEC supports a prevention-first approach built on biosecurity, early detection and surveillance, and—where appropriate—vaccination, alongside clear rules that enable trade to continue safely.
AVEC has consistently highlighted that Europe is already leading on vaccination efforts, including France’s national vaccination programme (launched in October 2023) and additional trials in other Member States.
Recent AVEC action: Together with a broad coalition of partners, AVEC co-signed a joint call (24 November 2025) urging the EU to treat animal-disease prevention as a strategic investment—prioritising surveillance and vaccination and making mass culling a last resort where possible.
Preventing disease is also central to reducing antimicrobial use. AVEC promotes responsible antibiotic use under veterinary supervision, and supports the One Health approach linking animal health, public health and environmental sustainability.
AVEC supports high welfare standards that are measurable, enforceable and effective. We promote progress via objective, outcome-based indicators grounded in scientific evidence, and we encourage practical implementation tools and continuous improvement.
How we work
The working group:
– coordinates positions across AVEC members (and, where relevant, with ELPHA/EPB),
– engages with EU institutions and scientific processes,
– organises exchanges with policymakers and technical stakeholders, and
– supports practical tools that help operators implement high standards in the field.
Current priorities and activities
EU animal welfare legislation, with a strong focus on transport
AVEC is actively engaged in the EU discussions on the Commission proposal on the welfare of animals during transport, working to ensure requirements are feasible for poultry, based on science, and deliver welfare improvements without unintended consequences.
Turkey welfare: harmonised best practices and science input
AVEC supports developing a harmonised EU approach for turkey welfare and contributes sector expertise and data to science and policy processes.
We also publish practical guidance, notably the Turkey Management Best Practices (2024), which sets out farm-management measures supporting both health and welfare (training, inspections, litter, ventilation, biosecurity, records, etc.).
HPAI: preparedness, vaccination acceptance and trade
AVEC continues to push for:
1. coherent EU and national vaccination strategies where appropriate,
2. surveillance and implementation aligned with the Animal Health Law, and
3. greater international acceptance of preventive vaccination to avoid unnecessary trade barriers.
