Madrid, April 30, 2025At Avianza, the Spanish Interprofessional Poultry Meat Association, we would like to highlight the signing of the new bilateral agreement between Spain and China, which will allow the export of Spanish poultry meat to the Asian giant. This opening represents a decisive step in the internationalization of the national poultry sector and responds to a long-standing demand from our companies and producers, which we have been working on together with public administrations since 2020.
The agreement, signed last Monday in Madrid by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food and the General Administration of Customs of China, opens a high-value trade route to one of the world's markets with the highest demand for poultry meat. At Avianza, we believe this opening not only expands the export horizon but also strengthens Spain's competitiveness as an international supplier of food with the highest quality standards.
“The signing of this protocol is excellent news for poultry companies, many of which have worked for years to be ready to export to a market as demanding as China,” says Jordi Montfort, Secretary General of Avianza. “This achievement is the result of public-private collaboration and the sector's constant efforts to meet the highest health and production standards.” He adds: “Since 2020, our interprofessional association has focused on the internationalization of the Spanish poultry meat sector, with joint initiatives with MAPA and ICEX, as well as the European Commission, to reach new markets in the Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, etc.), Mexico, South America, several Southeast Asian countries, and China as a major market to conquer.”
From now on, the process still requires several steps to facilitate the arrival of Spanish poultry meat to this market. The first step is the negotiation of the corresponding certificate, the visit of inspectors and auditors from Chinese agencies, the subsequent registration of companies with CEXGAN (the Chinese Customs Agency), and the final registration in the Chinese Customs system for the respective plants to be registered for export.
In addition to the poultry meat agreement, both parties have signed a work plan to implement electronic signatures on export certificates, which will streamline processes, reduce bureaucracy, and strengthen the security of trade.
Spanish poultry meat thus gains access to a strategic market with enormous growth potential and capacity to absorb products that face greater barriers elsewhere. This new avenue will also improve the sector's negotiating position in other third countries and contribute to consolidating its position in the global market.
https://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/logo_Avianza_2021_ESP.jpg10801080Avianzahttps://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo_b.pngAvianza2025-04-30 11:52:322025-04-30 11:52:33Avianza confirms the opening of the Chinese market to Spanish poultry meat as a strategic milestone for the sector.
The Spanish poultry sector has reacted quickly and effectively to the blackout, thanks to the commitment of the more than 5,000 farms, hatcheries, and integrators, among others, that make up our value chain. Despite the magnitude of the power outage, incidents have been very isolated, and the sector's response has allowed chicken breeding and incubation to continue safely.
The farms and hatcheries have demonstrated a high level of preparedness, most of them having emergency systems such as generators, which in some cases are even duplicated in strategic facilities. This has ensured both animal welfare and the maintenance of critical incubation processes, especially in such a technologically advanced and demanding environment as ours.
Unlike other meat sectors, poultry requires a highly coordinated operation, with processes ranging from incubation to fresh meat management, processing into prepared meat, and distribution within very tight deadlines. This requires superior responsiveness and technical expertise, as well as constant planning, as we demonstrated during other events such as the pandemic, Filomena, and the DANA.
In the case of processing plants, as these are industrial facilities, many do not have generators, which has caused interruptions at key stages of animal processing. When there is any doubt about the integrity of the product, especially due to a break in the cold chain, the decision has been made to preemptively recall the meat, thus ensuring that no compromised product reaches the distribution channel.
The recovery of activity is underway at all levels: farms, incubators, processing rooms, and distribution. In some cases, it was restored yesterday, and in others it is happening today. We are still evaluating the possible effects on fertility in the incubators, as we will have to wait until the eggs hatch to determine if there has been any disruption.
We would like to deeply express our gratitude for the efforts of all industry professionals, who have once again demonstrated their ability to adapt to extraordinary situations. Thanks to this prior work and our solid logistics network, the sector maintains its commitment to the supply, quality, and food safety that Spanish consumers expect.
Spain has a robust, responsible, and independent poultry industry, capable of responding reliably even in the most complex scenarios. And it has proven it once again.
https://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/logo_Avianza_2021_ESP.jpg10801080Avianzahttps://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo_b.pngAvianza2025-04-30 06:52:332025-04-30 06:52:34AVIANZA statement on the impact of the blackout on the poultry sector
The Spanish Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat is positioned as a reference in the international fair of the meat sector with gastronomic activities and professional meetings
Madrid, February 25, 2025.- Meat Attraction 2025 has kicked off today in Madrid, consolidating its position as the key meeting point for the most important players in the meat sector at a global level. Avianza, the Spanish Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat, is participating prominently in the event, representing the value of the national poultry industry and reinforcing its leadership as one of the main meat sectors in Europe.
Avianza has created a unique space in Hall 4 (stand 4B13), designed to host meetings between industry professionals and to offer visitors a detailed overview of the progress, production and innovation in poultry meat in Spain. With more than 40,000 direct jobs generated, the poultry sector is key to the country's economy and is reaffirmed as the second largest producer of poultry meat in the European Union.
One of the main attractions of the Avianza stand is the presentation of the Spanish Poultry Quality Certificate, an initiative that guarantees the quality, traceability and food safety of chicken, turkey and quail meat produced in Spain. This seal endorses the high standards of sustainability, animal welfare and exhaustive control followed by national poultry companies, reinforcing confidence in Spanish poultry products.
The interprofessional organization has welcomed the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to its space, a meeting where they were able to share their vision of the future of the sector and their concern about the EU-Mercosur agreement and the transport law, among others.
Show cookings and live culinary experiences
In addition, Avianza offers a series of gastronomic experiences in its space, where visitors will be able to enjoy show cooking by renowned chef Sergio Fernández and popular chicken chef and cook Raúl de KOC. These gastronomy experts will demonstrate various ways of preparing poultry meat, with recipes that highlight the versatility and flavour of Spanish birds.
On Tuesday, February 25 at 1:30 p.m., Sergio Fernández delighted attendees with a menu consisting of:
Chicken with shrimps
Quails with mole poblano
Turkey and cereal crunchburger
On Wednesday, February 26 at 2:00 p.m., Raúl de KOC will offer a workshop on chicken butchering techniques and will present innovative recipes such as:
Oriental Chicken Stir Fry
Quail legs with Korean BBQ
Mini Turkey Smash Burger
These culinary shows aim to inspire chefs and restaurateurs to include poultry meat in their menus, highlighting its nutritional value and adaptability to all types of dishes.
A key sector for Spain and Europe
Jordi Montfort, Secretary General of Avianza, has highlighted the importance of the association's presence at the fair: “Being part of Meat Attraction is essential for us, as it allows us to continue to showcase the wealth of the Spanish poultry sector at an international level. It is a unique opportunity to position ourselves as a benchmark and share with the world the effort and dedication of our industry.”
With its presence at Meat Attraction 2025, Avianza reinforces its commitment to the promotion of Spanish poultry meat, bringing the public closer to both excellence
Marta Lafarque (Avianza Internationalization); Jordi Montfort (Avianza General Secretary); the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas; Josep Solé (Avianza President) and Arán Zaldívar (Avianza Technical Deputy Director).
Moment of the cooking show of poultry meat from Spain with chef Sergio Fernández
Sergio Fernández preparing the quails.
The Avianza team at the poultry sector stand at Meat Attraction.
https://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Avianza-con-el-ministro-scaled.jpg19202560Avianzahttps://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo_b.pngAvianza2025-02-25 14:42:402025-02-25 14:42:41Avianza promotes the poultry sector at Meat Attraction 2025
Madrid, February 18, 2025. In recent weeks, the European Commission's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF Window) has issued several alert notifications linked to poultry products from Brazil, which has revived concerns about food safety in Mercosur countries. These alerts include the detection of pesticide residues and chlorinated chemicals, which are not permitted in the European Union, as well as the presence of pathogens such as Salmonella in meat products. For this reason, their entry has been refused, but it is impossible to verify the 100% of shipments from Brazil.
From Avianza, the Spanish Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat, we underline the importance of strengthening controls on imports from Mercosur countries, especially at a time when trade agreements are being sought that could increase the entry of these products into the European market. The growing list of alerts issued by the RASFF exposes the vulnerabilities of the food safety system of these countries and raises serious doubts about the quality and compliance with the health standards required in the EU.
Furthermore, the recent European Commission report, “Final of audit carried out in Brazil from 15 April to 3 May 2024 in order to evaluate the animal health controls in place, in particular on avian influenza in relation to the export of poultry, eggs and their products to the European Union”, calls into question the capacity of the Brazilian authorities to diagnose outbreaks of avian influenza early. The document warns that, although the system offers certain guarantees on compliance with import requirements, surveillance for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) may not be sufficient to detect the disease in time, which increases uncertainties regarding the control of exported products.
In this regard, Avianza reiterates its concern about the impact that the Mercosur agreement would have on the European poultry sector. According to the Rabobank report, "EU-Mercosur agreement: Implications for food and agribusiness", this agreement would allow the entry of 180,000 additional tons of poultry meat from Mercosur, which represents an increase of 581 TP3T with respect to current imports from this region and 201 TP3T with respect to total poultry imports in the EU. This increase, together with the deficiencies in Brazilian health controls, could put European food safety at risk, compared to the strict controls that European producers comply with, as reflected in the recent declaration of Spain as free of avian flu by the World Organisation for Animal Health.
Faced with this situation, Avianza urges European authorities to assess the impact of these products on consumer health and to prioritise local production of poultry meat, which is subject to strict quality controls and certifications. It is essential to defend the European poultry industry, which guarantees complete traceability and complies with the most rigorous animal welfare and food safety regulations, offering consumers safe, top-quality products.
https://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/logo_Avianza_2021_ESP.jpg10801080Avianzahttps://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo_b.pngAvianza2025-02-18 09:02:042025-02-18 09:02:05Avianza warns of recent food alerts from the European Commission and questions Mercosur's food security
The prestigious international food and beverage fair has started today and will run until Friday, February 21 at the Dubai World Trade Center
The poultry interprofessional has a presence in the ICEX space, where the Poultry of Spain has an area of 48m2, where six important poultry companies show their products and production processes to visitors.
With this action, Avianza is able to demonstrate the quality, capacity for innovation, as well as the commitment to animal welfare, sustainability and food safety of the Spanish poultry sector.
Dubai, February 17, 2025.- The 2025 edition of Gulfood Dubai has kicked off this morning at the Dubai World Trade Center, consolidating its position as the largest agri-food event in the Middle East. AVIANZA, the Spanish Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat, is once again present at this international forum with a large space within the ICEX Spain, Export and Investment pavilion, called “Poultry from Spain”. Within the area dedicated to the Spanish poultry sector, six large poultry companies, such as Coren, Iberdigest, Oblanca, Subirats, Urgasa and Vall Companys, have their own space to showcase their products and production processes to visitors.
The presence at Gulfood Dubai is part of Avianza's internationalisation strategy and its agreement with ICEX, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, so this will be a key week to promote the competitive advantages of the Spanish poultry industry to distributors, restaurateurs and consumers, internationally recognised for its quality, innovation and high standards in animal welfare, sustainability and food safety. In this regard, the Avianza team, headed by Jordi Montfort, general secretary, and Marta Lafarque, head of internationalisation, will be receiving representatives of companies and associations interested in establishing alliances with the Spanish poultry sector in the interprofessional space.
“Participation in such renowned fairs as Gulfood is key to positioning Spanish poultry products in a region of great importance for our international expansion, such as the Middle East. This event represents an indisputable platform to present and exalt the excellence of our production” says Jordi Montfort.
Representatives of Avianza, the six poultry companies and OFECOME at the Poultry from Spain space at Gulfood Dubai.
“Poultry from Spain” space within the ICEX stand.
Meetings at the Avianza area in Gulfood Dubai.
Members of OFECOME, representatives of Coren, Iberdigest, Oblanca, Subirats, Urgasa and Vall Companys and the Avianza team in the space dedicated to poultry meat.
https://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Representantes-de-Avianza-las-seis-empresas-avicolas-y-OFECOME-en-el-espacio-Poultry-from-Spain-en-Gulfood.jpeg12001600Avianzahttps://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo_b.pngAvianza2025-02-17 12:13:492025-02-17 12:43:30AVIANZA once again brings “Poultry from Spain” to Gulfood Dubai, the largest agri-food fair in the Middle East
Avianza has held a meeting with distribution, restaurant brands and the media where it has delved into the main challenges of the poultry sector in 2025
Poultry meat accounts for 411 TP3T of total protein consumption in Europe, consolidating its position as one of the main sources of protein in the European diet and global poultry meat consumption is expected to grow by 21 TP3T per capita by 2032.
Chicken meat is the most consumed fresh meat, with 557,900 tons in 2023
In terms of sustainability, European poultry meat is already established as a role model in the food sector and follows the objectives and meets the standards of the European Commission's Farm to Fork strategy.
Pressure from animal rights initiatives such as the European Chicken Commitment (ECC) to impose its model would entail an investment of 8.24 billion euros, which would reduce European production capacity and increase imports from countries with less strict regulations.
Madrid, February 4, 2025. Avianza, the Spanish Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat, has held a debate forum for professionals in the sector, distribution and restaurant brands, as well as for specialized journalists. In this virtual meeting, Josep Solé and Jordi Montfort, president and general secretary of Avianza, respectively, together with Carlos Garcés, researcher and president of the European Federation of WPSA (World's Poultry Science Association) delved into the situation of the poultry sector for 2024 and the challenges for 2025.
European poultry meat, a sustainable food sector
European poultry meat accounts for 411 TP3T of total protein consumption in Europe, establishing itself as one of the main sources of protein in the European diet and global poultry meat consumption is expected to grow by 21 TP3T per capita by 2032.
But it is also recognised worldwide for its high quality and efficient use of resources. Producers in the sector are aware of the importance of sustainability throughout the production chain, following the objectives of the European Commission's Farm to Fork Strategy.
The European poultry sector is constantly seeking to improve its practices, establishing itself as a global model in food sustainability with strict EU regulations that guarantee resource conservation and animal welfare.
In Spain, chicken meat is the most consumed fresh meat, with 557,900 tonnes in 2023, which represents an increase of 15% compared to the previous year.
A sustainable sector that they try to pressure with hoaxes
Following these objective data on good practices in the European poultry sector, Avianza spokespeople wanted to delve deeper into the threats and the appearance of hoaxes and misinformation surrounding production systems and certifications promoted by animal rights groups and international pressure lobbies.
Specifically, in relation to the initiative called European Chicken Commitment (ECC), under a pressure campaign for adherence to its own seal of animal welfare, in Spain coordinated by the Animal Welfare Observatory, which requires producers to eliminate breeding systems to focus only on the most expensive segment of products, derived from opting for lower breeding densities, the use of slow-growing strains and breeding in facilities with access to the outside. These measures would be the death knell for thousands of farmers in Spain, as well as an increase in costs that will impact on the ability of consumers to choose more affordable poultry meat.
Its impact in logistical and economic terms is equally unaffordable (ADAS Report), something that animal rights organisations do not provide in a transparent manner to show the consequences of their demands. It is estimated that the implementation of the ECC would increase production costs by 21.9% per kg of poultry (from €2.74 to €3.34), an amount that could reach €22/kg in the case of breasts.
Furthermore, moving current production systems to ECC conditions would require 66.3% more farming space, which would be equivalent to the construction of around 9,692 new poultry houses, at an estimated cost of €8.24 billion. This scenario not only represents a huge financial effort for producers, but could also lead to a significant reduction in production in Europe, opening the door to greater dependence on imports from third countries, where regulations are much less strict.
“In addition to all these handicaps, there is the campaign of discredit and lies carried out by these organisations, providing supposed studies, clearly biased, with the sole aim of generating controversy and confusion among consumers and, ultimately, putting pressure on distribution companies, restaurant brands and poultry companies to join the private initiative of the ECC and continue financing these organisations” said Jordi Montfort, secretary of Avianza, adding that “what is really serious is that they call into question the advances of the sector in terms of sustainability and animal welfare, both European and Spanish, for a purely economic and ideological interest, and that they try to sell it to the consumer as an animalist act. The consumer deserves to have all the information”
For his part, researcher Carlos Garcés, reaffirmed, through studies and contrasted data, that “producing poultry meat is producing the most sustainable meat in the world, it is the meat that has the greatest efficiency as a product because the poultry sector is the sector that has opted for technological improvements.”
“Sustainable European Poultry Meat” Campaign
Avianza has been collaborating with the European Union for two years now on the “Sustainable European Poultry Meat” campaign, a project in which an intense dissemination effort is being carried out among consumers, educational institutions and research centres in our country. In this year, such relevant actions have been developed as: Sustainable Poultry Gastronomic Week at the Limbo Bernabéu Restaurant, seminars at universities for more than 5,000 students or the popular 10k race where more than 1,000 participants registered.
Moment of the webinar with Josep Solé, president of Avianza and Jordi Montfort, general secretary.
https://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Instante-del-webinar-de-Avianza-sobre-sostenibilidad-del-sector_Josep-Sole-y-Jordi-Montfort.png8741480Avianzahttps://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo_b.pngAvianza2025-02-04 12:20:482025-02-04 12:25:53The poultry meat sector is promoting a European sustainability model in the face of the threat of low-cost production and animal rights activists' lies
It arises from the agreement with the meat interprofessionals
Its objective is to defend, promote and give visibility to the livestock-meat activity and to claim its contribution to the rural world and the maintenance of its economic fabric.
The president of the Provincial Council of Ávila and of the FEMP Agriculture Commission, Carlos García, has been chosen to preside over the Network
January 23, 2025The Governing Board of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) has approved the creation of the Network of Local Meat-Producing Entities, with the aim of defending, promoting and giving visibility to the relevance of the meat-producing activity and claiming its contribution to the rural world and the maintenance of its economic fabric, highlighting its role as a key element for population fixation and territorial cohesion.
The president of the Agriculture, Livestock, Forest Management and Rural Economy Commission of the FEMP and the Provincial Council of Ávila, Carlos García, has been elected to preside over the Livestock-Meat Network.
The Livestock-Meat Forum, which brings together the six interprofessional organisations in the sector (ASICI, AVIANZA, INTERCUN, INTERPOVIC, INTERPORC and ROVACUNO) has highlighted the importance of this new action in the rural area, arising from the agreement signed with the FEMP with the intention of being the basis for communication and collaboration between the private and public sectors at municipal level.
With the creation of this new network, the aim is to transfer good practices, develop awareness-raising activities and advise municipalities on all aspects related to livestock and industrial activity carried out in their territorial area, as well as launch activities to promote the sector.
https://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Logo-RMGC20304.png8391600Avianzahttps://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo_b.pngAvianza2025-01-23 15:37:122025-01-23 15:37:14The FEMP approves the creation of the Network of Local Meat-Producing Entities
The initiative works on a comprehensive solution to control and prevent the transmission of diseases, optimize logistics and production processes and reduce environmental impact.l.
The BIOTEGANIA project was created to address the challenges and limitations of the agri-food sector through new technologies.
Funded by the CDTI and the State Research Agency of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities of the Government of Spain, it has a consortium made up of seven companies and six research centers.
Livestock farming is a key activity to ensure that people have adequate access to the protein necessary to meet their nutritional needs. The pig and poultry sectors represent nearly 11% of Spanish GDP and employ more than 700,000 people.
Despite its importance, this sector faces multiple challenges and limitations such as the control of greenhouse gas emissions, nitrates and phosphorus, the need to restrict the use of antibiotics or the improvement of animal welfare. These are challenges that must inevitably be faced in order to achieve its goals. ensure the sustainability of production in an ethical and responsible manner.
To achieve this, it is essential to improve the overall health of animals and develop new technologies, methods and practices that make the sector more efficient, competitive and environmentally friendly, and which also takes into account the entire livestock value chain.
In this context, the BIOTEGANIA project was born, funded by the CDTI and the State Research Agency of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities of the Government of Spain.
The initiative aims to develop a system that integrates different biotechnological, digital and artificial intelligence tools for the detection, prevention, control and treatment of emerging communicable diseases and for the optimization of logistics and production processes in the agri-food sector. In this way, through sensors and advanced diagnostics, the application of biosecurity and biocontainment, and phage therapy, the aim is to offer the food value chain a comprehensive solution, promoting significant environmental, social and economic benefits that will improve the competitiveness of livestock farming.
Social impact
The project will respond to two problems of great importance to society, such as: protection, welfare and sustainability of farm animals, and the safety of the food we consume.
On the one hand, it will contribute to improving animal health and welfare by reducing non-communicable diseases. At the same time, environmental issues will be addressed, promoting the ecological transition by reducing the impact of waste and the water and CO footprint.2 in livestock production.
Likewise, the initiative will help improve the quality and safety of the food we consume, reducing the potential transmission of zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance through the consumption of contaminated food, which will help ensure food safety and protect consumer health.
This research and knowledge transfer project involves the collaboration between seven companies and six research centres. In the business field they participate Quartet SL of Jorge Group; Sanchez Romero Carvajal Jabugo SAU of the Osborne Group; Cobb Española SA of Cobb Group Europe; White AVICOLA SL from Grupo Oblanca; Vital Professional Services SERPROVIT SL; Animal Data Analytics ADA SL; and Exopol SLU. On the other hand, in the scientific-technological field it has the participation of the technological center AZTI (Basque Country), the Poultry Quality and Animal Feed Center of the Valencian Community (CECAV), the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), the Cardenal Herrera University (UCH-CEU), the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) and the Polytechnic University of Valencia ((UPV). In addition, the project is supported by ANPROGAPOR (National Association of Pig Producers) and AVIANZA (Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat), which will promote the dissemination of the project's progress in both sectors and enhance the continuity of the project and the exploitation of its results.
Image resource from Avianza.
https://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Granjero_.png7151067Avianzahttps://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo_b.pngAvianza2024-12-13 08:32:382024-12-13 08:32:39AVIANZA is part of the BIOTEGANIA project to improve animal health and livestock sustainability
● It poses a direct and immediate threat to the sustainability of the poultry sector, putting thousands of jobs at risk by allowing imports that do not meet strict European quality and sustainability standards. ● They represent unfair competition with tangible environmental risks, since regulatory and production cost differences favour unsustainable practices, compromising food safety and the climate objectives of the European Union.
Madrid, December 9, 2024.- AVIANZA, the Spanish Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat, joins the widespread rejection of the European poultry meat sector, and of agriculture and livestock in general, against the trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, due to the serious implications that this has for food safety, compliance with production standards, environmental sustainability and the future of the European agricultural and livestock sector.
The agreement, which allows for increased imports of poultry meat and other agricultural products from Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay), represents a significant risk to the quality and sustainability standards that distinguish European production. According to the latest reports from the EU Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE), Brazil faces serious difficulties in ensuring compliance with European health standards, raising concerns about the safety of imports.
A devastating impact on local production
The agreement provides for an additional import quota of 180,000 tonnes of poultry meat from Mercosur (in addition to the 300,000 already authorised), which is equivalent to the combined production of countries such as Finland, Sweden and Denmark. These imports not only affect local producers, but also generate unfair competition by allowing the entry of products that do not comply with the strict animal welfare, food safety and environmental sustainability regulations in force in the EU.
Currently, 25% of chicken breast meat consumed in the EU comes from third countries such as Brazil, Thailand and Ukraine, which do not operate under the same standards. This situation will worsen with the entry into force of the agreement, weakening local production and putting thousands of jobs at risk in the Spanish poultry sector.
Spanish poultry producers face significantly higher production costs due to compliance with strict animal welfare, food safety and sustainability regulations. It is estimated that these standards can account for between 6%-8% of the selling price of poultry meat in Spain (and that, without the approval of new animal welfare regulations and non-deforested origin of soybeans). In contrast, Brazilian producers operate under less demanding regulations, which allows them to offer lower prices and creates unfair competition that threatens the viability of the Spanish poultry sector.
Risks to environmental sustainability and biodiversity
The agreement contradicts Europe's commitments to climate action and biodiversity protection. Mercosur countries, especially Brazil, have been repeatedly singled out for unsustainable practices such as massive deforestation and the use of substances banned in the EU, such as atrazine in agricultural crops, as well as the use of antibiotics or hormones. These regulatory differences not only compromise global efforts to combat climate change, but also undermine the sustainability goals set out in the European Green Deal.
Lack of reciprocity and transparency for consumers
Despite promises of origin labelling, current regulations do not require identification of the origin of meat used in processed products, such as ready meals or food in catering chains. This leaves European consumers exposed to products that do not meet the standards they expect, without the possibility of making informed choices.
AVIANZA insists on the need to implement mandatory labelling for all meat and poultry products, as well as to ensure reciprocity in production standards between the EU and exporting countries.
A call to action
From AVIANZA, and in line with the position of other European associations such as AVEC, CEPM and COPA-COGECA, we urge the political leaders of the European Union to reject the agreement in its current form. Allowing the entry of agricultural products that do not meet European standards would be a strategic error that would undermine food safety, consumer welfare and the sustainability of our agricultural sector.
The future of European agriculture and livestock farming depends on a trade policy that protects our producers, promotes sustainability and defends European values.
https://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/logo_Avianza_2021_ESP.jpg10801080Avianzahttps://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo_b.pngAvianza2024-12-09 14:39:102024-12-12 11:46:55THE SPANISH MEAT AND POULTRY SECTOR REJECTS THE EU-MERCOSUR AGREEMENT DUE TO ITS CONSEQUENCES FOR FOOD SECURITY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE SECTOR
● The Spanish Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat has organized, one more year, the Thanksgiving dinner with chef Manu Berganza (Azotea Group) and the pairing of Bodegas Carmelo Rodero
● The event, which took place at the Cornamusa restaurant in Madrid, brought together prominent representatives of the agri-food sector, as well as journalists and influencers related to food, gastronomy and lifestyle.
● In addition, Aves de España will hold a raffle in collaboration with Taste of America - through their Instagram profiles - where 15 turkeys of Spanish origin and different classic American side dishes will be given away.
Madrid, November 27, 2024.- For the third consecutive year, Avianza, the Spanish Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat, has celebrated the traditional Thanksgiving holiday with turkey and Spanish poultry as the main protagonists. For this, the chef chosen was Manu Berganza, who leads the kitchens of Azotea Grupo and prepared, at the Cornamusa restaurant (Madrid), a complete roast turkey menu with its traditional garnishes and also shared his carving technique with the attendees.
During this culinary event, which was attended by a large group of guests including representatives of the Spanish agri-food sector, journalists and renowned influencers in the gastronomic and lifestyle fields, Avianza continued to promote the consumption of poultry meat, in general, and turkey in particular, one of the most versatile and healthy options on the market. And of course, highlighting meat certified with the Aves de España seal, a distinction that certifies the Quality, Sustainability and Food Safety of the Spanish poultry product.
In addition, on this occasion, Avianza had the collaboration of Bodegas Carmelo Rodero, who created a perfect pairing to accompany the turkey. Its founder, Carmelo Rodero, and its technical director and oenologist, Beatriz Rodero, shared with the attendees the history of their company and the details of the wines of the evening: Carmelo Rodero Crianza 2022, Carmelo Rodero Raza 2021 and Carmelo Rodero TSM.
“It is a pleasure for us to continue promoting Thanksgiving, a holiday with such a beautiful connotation as gratitude and in which everything revolves around a turkey” says Jordi Montfort, Secretary General of Avianza, adding that “it is a celebration that allows us to continue giving value to the Poultry of Spain, to the work of thousands of farmers and professionals in a production chain that employs more than 40,000 people and is one of the three main producers of poultry meat in Europe. For all these reasons, combining this American tradition with a quality raw material such as the Spanish turkey seems to us to be the perfect combination.”
Turkey: symbol of celebration and versatility
Turkey has earned a prominent place on holiday tables thanks to its versatility, flavor and ability to bring people together around a special meal. It is an essential food in Christmas and Thanksgiving recipes, a holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States, where stuffed turkey is the main dish.
Similarly, in the Christmas celebrations of many cultures, roast or stuffed turkey has become one of the most traditional recipes, consolidating its presence on the tables during these festivities.
Spanish turkey and American side dishes, the perfect combination
In addition to this Thanksgiving dinner, Avianza and Aves de España will be holding a raffle from Thanksgiving Day (November 28) until December 5 in collaboration with Taste of America, a company specializing in American products. 15 turkeys will be given away, as well as products to accompany them, such as pumpkin puree or the classic turkey stuffing with herbs and spices. The contest rules can be found on the Instagram profiles @avesdespana and @tasteofamericae.
https://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/AvesThanksgivin012-1-scaled.jpg25601707Avianzahttps://avianza.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/logo_b.pngAvianza2024-11-27 14:03:482024-11-27 14:03:50Once again, the Birds of Spain are the stars of AVIANZA's Thanksgiving celebration