From 1 January 2023, the NVWA can administratively handle poor animal welfare abnormalities of organic and free-range chickens. This was already the case for regular broilers.
In practice, this means that as soon as an NVWA veterinarian at the slaughterhouse sees that poultry has lived in poor animal welfare conditions, he immediately notes this. If these observations recur after 12 weeks, the poultry farmer risks a fine. The poultry farmer should therefore be alert to the litter quality in the house and prevent welfare problems.
The welfare abnormalities the NVWA is then talking about are, for example: acute inflammations of the chest or legs, foot pad lesions, heel dermatitis and chest blisters. These inflammations are common with poor litter quality in the barn. Wet litter is caused, for example, by the drinking water system, feed composition or inadequate ventilation.
The moment an NVWA veterinarian at the slaughterhouse spots abnormalities on the animals that indicate poor animal welfare conditions in the house, the poultry farmer is informed with a letter. The poultry farmer is then obliged to take measures to improve animal welfare.
After sending the letter, the poultry farmer has 12 weeks to take action. If after these 12 weeks, observations of poor animal welfare conditions in the house are made again, the poultry farmer will receive an administrative fine.
The administrative practice is based on the European broiler directive (2007/43/EC).
In the Animal husbandry decree prescribes that no materials and, where applicable, bedding that are unsuitable or harmful to the animal may be used in the area where an animal is kept. Since poor bedding quality falls under this, it can be established as a violation of the Animal Husbandry Decree. According to the NVWA, the observation of welfare deviations indicates the use of bedding that is unsuitable or harmful for the animals. Therefore, this practice will apply to all free-range and organic broilers and other types of poultry from 1 January 2023.
Source: NVWA
