Politics1 min read

Denmark pushes for EU ban on ‘turbo chickens’ as secret footage causes outrage

By · Via The Guardian · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The political push intensified after undercover footage from a North Jutland farm revealed illegal lighting manipulation designed to induce continuous feeding. In response, Animal Welfare Minister Christian Rabjerg Madsen confirmed that legal and economic evaluations are underway before introducing formal legislation. The proposed prohibition specifically targets the Ross 308 breed, which reaches market weight in just 33 days and frequently suffers from debilitating bone and organ failure. Meanwhile, poultry industry leaders insist that any restriction must include import curbs to prevent foreign suppliers from capturing the domestic market.

Key points

  • Minister Christian Rabjerg Madsen stated that legal and economic assessments must precede…: Minister Christian Rabjerg Madsen stated that legal and economic assessments must precede any national or European Union prohibition.
  • Poultry producer Danpo warned that a domestic production ban would merely drive Danish co…: Poultry producer Danpo warned that a domestic production ban would merely drive Danish consumers and restaurants toward imported birds.
  • Eurogroup for Animals notes that 95 percent of European Union chickens are reared within…: Eurogroup for Animals notes that 95 percent of European Union chickens are reared within intensive, low-cost farming systems.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

The Danish government is pursuing a national ban on “turbo chickens” and is calling for the fast-growing breed to be prohibited across Europe.

The move comes amid widespread outrage over allegations of lawbreaking by one of Denmark’s big chicken producers.

According to a TV2 documentary broadcast last week, producer Christian Tvergaard broke Danish law by giving chickens only half the amount of darkness per day that is required, in order to encourage them to eat more. The documentary featured secretly filmed footage from a chicken coop in North Jutland.

The Ross 308 breed, labelled the turbo chicken, is the most widespread in Danish poultry production. It grows from about 50 grams to 2kg in just 33 days. Such rapid growth can lead to problems with the animal’s bones and organs. Other chicken breeds take between 46 and 63 days to reach the same weight.

Denmark’s minister for nature and animal welfare, Christian Rabjerg Madsen, said he discouraged Danes from buying turbo chickens, telling the broadcaster: “I want to work for a national ban. But it’s clear that this is something…

Politics