The debate around poultry density and EU welfare rules
The argument centers on a plan within the European Union to set profitable production limits tied to a maximum stocking density of 11 kg per square meter. This figure, backed by EFSA, has become a focal point for both broiler and laying-hen farming. Critics describe it as a sharply restricted animal-welfare mandate issued by the European Commission. Within the poultry sector, several European board recommendations are triggering concerns about farm closures, higher consumer prices, and reduced competitiveness relative to non-EU competitors. A scientific opinion that may have far-reaching implications warns that if applied in these conditions it could threaten most of Europe’s poultry industry, including both meat and egg production (Asaja, 2023).
The European Commission frames its position within the broader strategy for farming. Documents accompanying this strategy build a scientific case to support ongoing reviews of EU animal-welfare legislation, with a legislative bill expected in the second half of 2023. In Spain, Galician agricultural data from 2021 show 874 farms on record locally, while national estimates place the sector around 5,000 farms. The community produces about 217,000 tons of chicken meat annually, against a broader national total of roughly 1.6 million tons (Agriculture Ministry reports, 2021 data).
Reducing capacity drastically and the cost impact
Among the proposals, a cap of 11 kg/m² for conventional broilers would force a significant reduction in flock size on farms. Asaja notes this implies a 72% drop in bird numbers on many properties. While the framework remains unsettled, industry voices warn that the moment the regulatory river changes, the financial currents will follow. The producer community argues that cutting cabin space simultaneously with rising production costs makes profitability hard to achieve (Hernangómez, industry technician). They suggest that without clear fixes, calculations fail to balance the books.
Industry observers stress that profitability hinges on achieving a sustainable scale. A farm must typically house 30,000 to 35,000 birds to reach a minimal profit level, a scale far removed from micro-farms, and such a shift could destabilize a sector that is already competing in open markets. The cost of producing a kilogram of chicken, currently around 3.5 euros at the point of sale, is driven by farm expenses of about 50 to 55 cents per kilo, with farmers receiving approximately 40 cents in return (Erice, economic commentary).
Domestic supply and global implications
There is concern that reduced domestic capacity could tighten supply and dependance on imports. If EU rules tighten quickly, the region may rely more on producers outside the bloc, including Brazil, a major global supplier. Without a mechanism to level the field for imports from non-EU regions, poultry volumes could rise from non-EU sources to fill gaps. Analysts note that the current trajectory risks increasing imports from places like Ukraine, Brazil, and Thailand, while the EFSA assessment does not directly equate EU welfare practices with those in other countries.
Costs, packaging, and energy pressures
Producers point to a cascade of cost pressures: organic feeds climbing roughly 40% as grain prices rise, egg packaging up about 30%, and fuel costs surging. Representatives for Asaja argue that lowering cavity counts, alongside reducing antibiotic use and expanding environmental measures, would intensify burdens. They emphasize that the transition away from cages — prevalent in laying operations though many birds are raised on the floor — would require new investment in housing and energy systems. Many farmers have already installed solar arrays to offset electricity costs, a move that would be magnified by further price increases and could squeeze margins further.
Another proposed remedy would be to expand farm footprints to preserve profitability. Yet many producers describe expansion as impractical due to environmental requirements, multiple certifications, and lengthy permit processes governed by national and regional authorities. The result would be additional costs and delayed returns, complicating an industry already experiencing tight margins. EFSA continues to publish scientific opinions on animal welfare across farmed species and during transport, underscoring the ongoing, broad evaluation of welfare standards (EFSA synopses, 2023-2024).
Organic feed costs and artisanal challenges
Traditional producers report that rising inputs and shifting regulations threaten viability. In some regions, small farms rely on artisanal practices with limited processing capacity, which keeps the marketing chain short but also constrains growth. For many, profitability remains elusive, and the sector faces a delicate balance between maintaining local livelihoods and meeting evolving welfare and environmental expectations. A farm owner in Galicia notes that living from poultry alone is tough; it often needs to be part of a broader enterprise to stay afloat. Cost increases over the past year and a half have been severe, with producers highlighting the gap between farm gate prices and consumer prices as a major stress point.
The conversation around poultry in the European context continues to hinge on aligning welfare improvements with practical, financially sustainable farming. Stakeholders stress the need for clear timelines, workable certifications, and policies that support competitiveness while protecting animal welfare. The broader aim remains to ensure a healthy, transparent market that serves domestic needs and preserves the vitality of European poultry sectors, even as global dynamics evolve and new challenges arise.