STOP disinformation! The truth about raising broilers in Romania

The Romanian Poultry Breeders' Union (UCPR) strongly condemns the periodic appearance in the public space of false statements, which are based on erroneous information and images taken from pathological anatomy books and which have no relation to the real situation in poultry farms in Romania . These baseless allegations misinform consumers about chicken welfare standards, the quality and safety of poultry products provided by domestic chicken producers.

"Recently, we have been witnessing repeated attacks of misinformation that negatively affect consumer confidence and harm the poultry industry in Romania. It is regrettable that false information and manipulative images are used to create a distorted picture of the growing conditions of chickens in poultry farms in Romania.

In reality, UCPR members strictly adhere to animal welfare standards and follow strict hygiene and food safety rules to ensure the production of quality chicken meat, in accordance with national and EU legislation," the representatives of the Poultry Breeders' Union say from Romania.

All broilers in the EU and implicitly in Romania are raised on the ground, having the possibility to move freely in a controlled environment, being able to feed, drink water and interact with other chickens, both in the conventional rearing system , as well as in the one that uses alternative technologies. At European level, 90% of all chicken meat consumption comes from birds raised in conventional systems, i.e. with controlled microclimate and feed conditions, in shelters without access to the outdoors.

Only 10% of the meat comes from birds raised in alternative technologies: traditional (in the open air or raised in total freedom), or extensive system (chickens raised in semi-freedom or in closed spaces). As this type of meat involves significantly higher costs, generating higher market prices, in Romania, the demand for this type of meat is even more limited. Thus, this segment represents approximately 3-4% of the total production. "Domestic chicken producers work at the highest technological, ethical and responsible standards, ensuring a high standard of safety and quality of chicken products. In poultry farms in Romania, broiler breeding technologies are regulated by EU legislation through Regulation 543/2008 (which refers to production, quality and marketing standards) and Directive 43/2007 (which refers to broiler welfare) .

Thus, the breeding of birds in authorized sanitary and veterinary farms is done according to the most modern technologies, and the supervision of the birds' health is done permanently through self-control programs and official control based on EU legislation", explain the representatives of the Romanian Poultry Breeders' Union. UCPR assures consumers that the products obtained on the poultry production chains of its members come from broilers raised in welfare conditions that comply with all national and European Union standards:

1. The minimum age for slaughtering broilers is at least 42 days, being regulated by MADR Order no. 55 of 2023.

2. Optimum environmental conditions, depending on the growth period, ensuring sufficient space to move and behave naturally.

3. Adequate shelter conditions (temperature, light, air, humidity, etc.).

4. Proper nutrition that provides a balanced, nutrient-rich diet adapted to the stage of development of the chicks and that ensures healthy growth and a strong immune system. 5. Access to clean, fresh water for adequate hydration.

6. Regular medical control provided by veterinarians, according to the rules in force.

7. Absence of the use of antibiotics as growth promoters. The EU is the only economic area in the world that has promoted legislation specific to bird welfare.

We remind you that Directive 43 from 2007, provides the densities per square meter in kg for broilers and which cannot be exceeded by any farmer in the EU. In addition to the European legislation with minimum welfare provisions, our country requested and obtained the approval of the EU Commission for the application of a higher welfare program which provides for a reduction of density (kg/m2) by another 15%.

We mention that following a citizens' initiative at the EU level (approx. 1.5 million citizens), the Commission decided to amend the animal welfare legislation. Thus, during this period the legislation is being drafted, to be submitted to public debate and then to be voted on. In accordance with the scientific recommendation of EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), the welfare of broilers will be at the level of the superior welfare currently practiced in Romania.

We firmly fight another subject that manipulates public opinion, generating anxiety and even panic among consumers regarding the food containing chicken meat, specifying that antibiotics are allowed in the breeding of birds only for curative treatments, on the recommendation and under the signature of the veterinarian, with respecting the waiting time before slaughtering the birds.

As a result, antibiotics are not used systematically in poultry farming, but only occasionally, as needed, as a form of treatment. The detection of antibiotic residues, pharmacologically active substances and other residues is carried out on the basis of Regulation 37/2010 and Order 95/2007.

Moreover, the official control program for residues is approved annually by the European Commission, which determines the number of samples for control according to the number of birds in each country. The European Commission also recommends and annually checks the methods of analysis and control used in state laboratories, and the collection of samples for analysis is done unexpectedly by ANSVSA, which is audited annually in terms of residues.

Worldwide, 85% of all poultry meat intended for human consumption comes from chickens, 10% from turkeys and 5% from other bird species (duck, goose, guinea fowl, ostriches, etc.).

PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UCPR PRESIDENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL TECHNOLOGY – ACADEMY OF AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY SCIENCES Prof. Univ. Dr. ILIE VAN

About the Union of Poultry Breeders from Romania (UCPR)

UCPR is a professional, non-profit, non-governmental, autonomous association, with legal personality, built on the specific criteria of the poultry branch activity.

Established in 1993 with the aim of creating an organizational unit for poultry breeders in Romania, UCPR fulfills the role of a link between economic agents active in the field of poultry, representing and communicating the interests of poultry companies in relation to state institutions, as well as in relation to the general public. UCPR does not get involved in the commercial relations of its members.

Discover more information: www.avicultura.ro

Contact: Union of Poultry Breeders from Romania

Phone: 021 666 37 65

Bulevardul Ion Mihalache no. 106, Bl. 84, Sc. A, Floor 9, Apartment 24, Sector 1, Bucharest