Do you know that in most European countries euthanize male chicks through a practice of gassing and crushing? This technique generates discontent among the population and animal rights, therefore, countries such as France y Germany they have finally decided to ban it. Do you want to know how they will avoid the slaughter of male chicks? Keep reading with us.
Germany and France ban squashing and gassing of male chicks
France and Germany will be the first countries of the European Union in suppressing this practice by law. As of January 1, the chick crushing and gassing technique will be replaced by another that will allow the sex to be distinguished before the egg hatches.
Thanks to this advance, the objective of definitively putting an end to this practice is achieved. In addition to responding to the many petitions from consumers and animal protection associations.
What is the new practice to avoid the slaughter of male chicks?
For the beginning of the year 2022, all incubators must have installed or commissioned incubators «sexed in ovo«. That is, they allow the removal of male chicks (females are preserved as future laying hens) before the hatching of the egg.
Since the problem is that unlike females, males cannot lay eggs and their growth is slower for meat production, so they are systematically slaughtered.
Now, with the new technique, a camera analyzes the embryo color since the first feathers appear, which allows distinguishing the sex. Thus, male eggs can be removed before the chick hatches. Likewise, the procedure proposed by the experts is fast and minimally invasive and the sex of the chick can be known before it is born with a certainty of the 98,5%
In addition, to support these measures, the French Government has planned the program called France Relaunch. Which was presented on September 3, 2020 and established by the French Government as immediate support to companies in the face of the current Covid-19 pandemic.
This includes a series of measures aimed not only at economic recovery, but also at ecological transition. Under the heading «Ecology»Of the plan, the actions are aimed at promoting the circular economy and short circuits.
Now, thanks to him, some ten million euros for the sector within the crisis recovery plan, to really help companies invest in these useful machines.
How is the situation in other countries?
In the rest of the countries this practice continues to be carried out. However, in Switzerland the crushing of male offspring has already been prohibited since January 1, 2020. Although the country does allow elimination by gassing.
This responds to a parliamentary initiative to eradicate a method that was already almost residual in Switzerland, where it is only maintained in some hatcheries, which will now be inspected by veterinary services to verify compliance with the new regulations.
In fact, according to PACMA, every year they sacrifice between 4.000 y 6.000 million de chicks which, once crushed, are used for elaboration de Feed for reptiles and other animals that end up in zoos.
En Spain, the Directorate of Production and Agrarian Markets of the Ministry of Agriculture is currently working with egg producers to achieve an end to the slaughter of these male chicks.
For this reason, the question has been put on the table from France and Germany at European level in the Council of Ministers of Agriculture so that this fantastic initiative is supported and States are encouraged to finish joining it.
And you, are you in favor of ending the technique of slaughter of male chicks? What do you think about countries like Germany and France taking the step? Do you think they will serve as an example for the other countries of the European Union such as Spain? We, of course, hope so.
