Killing chicks should come to an end
In the discussion about phasing out male day-old chicks, the German poultry industry is calling for "more honesty, more realism, more real willingness to find solutions" from all those involved and is calling for pan-European regulations in the interest of animal welfare. "We need a lot more honesty and a lot less populist demands in the debate about the exit wanted by everyone involved," says Friedrich-Otto Ripke, President of the Central Association of the German Poultry Industry (ZDG). He makes two key points clear:
- “An immediate exit is not feasible, neither in Germany nor anywhere else in the world. Anyone who demands an immediate exit is acting irresponsibly, dishonestly and consciously misjudging the facts.”
- “A purely German law would mean simply shifting the animal welfare problem abroad. Such a law would not kill a single chick less.”
"Our commitment is: We want to get out of chick killing - as quickly as possible," emphasizes ZDG President Ripke. The problem in the public discussion, however, is that when it comes to the commitment "as soon as possible", all too often only the "fast" is seen, not the "possible". Ripke calls for a solution-oriented return to the scientifically proven facts of feasibility and firmly rejects accusations that the poultry industry is playing for time. "We have submitted concrete solutions to the ministry that show a clear perspective on the way to phasing out chick killing," he says. Through a combination of different approaches - specifically by determining the sex in the egg using hyperspectral and hormone analysis, by rearing brother roosters and by keeping dual-purpose hens - the ambitious but feasible goal of the industry is to halve the number of rooster chicks killed by 2022 to reduce.
Purely German law would only handle hatchery locations in Germany
“There is no other way than cooperation with business and science”; emphasizes Ripke. A purely German law with a ban on chick killing in Germany would not mean that a single chick less would be killed - the female laying hen chicks or pullets would simply come from abroad, where their brothers would continue to be killed. Ripke: “Such a law would be completely useless and would only deal with the hatchery location in Germany. We need a Europe-wide regulation here.”
"Realpolitik with realistic implementation plans is required!"
From the point of view of the German poultry industry, everyone who is willing to take responsibility must jointly promote solutions that can be implemented quickly. This includes the poultry industry, science, the market and consumers with a necessary higher acceptance of "Bruderhahn" products - and finally and above all politics. "Realpolitik with realistic implementation plans is required!" demands Ripke. "The cooperation with France announced by Federal Minister Klöckner would be a good step and could ultimately involve all of Europe."
