Tailored transport rules in times of extreme heat
Poultry welfare in periods of extreme heat, especially during transport, is a hot topic indeed. European regulations only cover the basics and that is why poultry sector stakeholders in the Netherlands and Belgium have developed their own tailored, but detailed protocols, sectoral agreements and national legislation to ensure that animal welfare is guaranteed during transport.
BY MARLEEN TEULING I
n recent years, poultry farmers in Europe have been confronted with a number of heat waves. Taking climate trends in account, it is very likely that this will repeat itself in the future. That is why in the Netherlands and in
Belgium there was a need to agree on some effective guidelines with the authorities and within the poultry sector regarding the transport of poultry on days with extreme heat. The aim is to guarantee the welfare of poultry and to minimise losses. During very hot days, specific protocols
come into effect, special measures are taken as animal welfare receives extra attention from both the industry and the national food and product safety authorities.
Loading at peak temperatures is prohibited, driving and delivery times are also affected on hot days.
6 ▶ HEAT STRESS | MAY 2021
Law A European law, EC Regulation 1/2005, addresses the regulations regarding the transport of livestock. “This is a framework law applicable to all European member states on the transport of livestock in times of extreme heat,” explains Ann Truyen, of the Belgian Association of Industrial Poultry Slaughterhouses. “However, this law is quite generic. That is why we decided to implement this protocol specifically designed for broilers on their way to the slaughterhouse. In this protocol, the legal provisions are described more practically. The protocol that we use in Belgium is a workable instrument that applies to different roles within the logistic poultry chain. It has been approved by the minister in Flanders, and is used on a national scale. It was important to organise this properly because of the limited flexibility in the broiler chain: leaving ready-to-slaughter animals on farm longer than anticipated has immediate and serious consequences for animal welfare at poultry farms.”
PHOTO: BERT JANSEN
PHOTO: HANS PRINSEN
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