Posts

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Avianza confirms the opening of the Chinese market to Spanish poultry meat as a strategic milestone for the sector.

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.

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AVIANZA statement on the impact of the blackout on the poultry 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.

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Avianza promotes the poultry sector at Meat Attraction 2025

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.

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Avianza warns of recent food alerts from the European Commission and questions Mercosur's food security

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.

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AVIANZA once again brings “Poultry from Spain” to Gulfood Dubai, the largest agri-food fair in the Middle East

  • 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.

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The FEMP approves the creation of the Network of Local Meat-Producing Entities

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.

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THE 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

● 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.

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The Government and Avianza strengthen the poultry meat trade in Saudi Arabia

He Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Spanish Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat (Avianza) participate in a trade mission in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, of the November 12-14. This initiative is part of the promotion strategy Food from Spain and the Interprofessionall avícola, which joins forces for the internationalization of the Spanish agri-food sector.

The mission responds to the growing interest in Spanish poultry products in the Saudi market and includes the participation of representatives of Avianza, who accompany the companies Coren, Oblanca, Urgasa and Vall Companys, all of them associated with the interprofessional and selected through an internal call.

Over the three days, the mission followed an agenda of meetings and field visits focused on identifying opportunities for collaboration with local importers and distributors.

Among the most notable activities, the following have been carried out: bilateral meetings between Spanish companies and key players in the Saudi market, with the aim of exploring possible import and distribution agreements for Spanish poultry meat. Visits have also been scheduled to supermarkets and large stores in Riyadh to gain first-hand knowledge of the local business environment and consumer habits.

These actions will allow participating companies to better understand the needs of the Saudi consumer and explore opportunities to adapt their products to the demands of this market.

Saudi Arabia has become a strategic market for Spanish poultry meat, driven by the growing demand for high-quality food. Studies by Avianza They confirm that the interest of Saudi consumers in Spanish poultry products has grown significantly in recent years, reflecting the potential for expansion of the sector in this country.

This trade mission in Riyadh is part of the agreement between the Ministry and Avianza for the period 2024-2025, whose objective is to strengthen the competitiveness of the Spanish agri-food sector at an international level.

Read more. Source: https://www.europapress.es/economia/noticia-gobierno-avianza-viajan-riad-reforzar-comercio-carne-avicola-arabia-saudi-20241113101534.html

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THE #CADACOSAPORSUNOME INITIATIVE MEETS WITH THE SECRETARY GENERAL FOR CONSUMPTION AND GAMING TO PROPOSE ACTIONS TO IMPROVE THE PROTECTION OF SPANISH CONSUMERS

The progress made since the initiative was launched in February 2024 was presented, which has allowed the first inspection actions and favourable court rulings.
Special mention was made of the need to defend the Mediterranean diet in the face of the “plant-based” trend, as reflected in the recent report on the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture and Food in the EU.
Four lines of collaboration were proposed, with the launching of training and information campaigns for citizens with the support of AESAN being of great importance.

The joint initiative #CadaCosaPorSuNombre in defense of truthful information for consumers led by ANFACO-CECOPESCA (Maritime-Industry Complex Organization1), ANICE (National Association of Meat Industries of Spain), AVIANZA (Spanish Interprofessional Association of Poultry Meat) and CEDECARNE (Spanish Confederation of Meat Retailers), and which represents more than 150,000 workers, met this week in Madrid with the new general secretary of Consumption and Gaming, Andrés Barragán, with the aim of presenting the path followed throughout 2024 and establishing new courses of action for the coming months. Ana Lopez-Santacruz, director of the National Food Center, belonging to AESAN, was also present during the meeting. The #CadaCosaPorSuNombre campaign, launched last February, seeks to raise public awareness and the Administration about the importance of correct labelling and advertising in the face of misinformation and confusion created by vegan products that imitate foods of animal origin.


During the meeting, the progress made to date was presented, citing: the latest reports made after a sampling of vegan products carried out in
supermarkets in Spain and which have resulted in favorable legal actions, for example, with the contentious-administrative procedure brought by the Institute
Galician Consumer and Competition Commission against the product “Filetes MerlVza” by HEÜRA; or the legal-technical analysis carried out and delivered to different Autonomous Communities, which seeks to facilitate the establishment of inspection criteria based on Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 on consumer information or others such as the Directive on misleading and comparative advertising (2006/114 / EC). Additionally, the directive that aims to end Greenwashing in the EU (2024/825) was analyzed, highlighting that said Directive “prohibits the use of generic environmental claims without a clear explanation”, and that vegan products would be in breach of compliance by using messages in their campaigns such as: “A meat burger pollutes more than your car” or “helps save the oceans”.


During the meeting, special mention was made of the risks derived from such confusion for consumers in relation to food safety. The tragic event that occurred in Australia in 2020 was recalled, when a six-year-old child died after mistaking the container of body milk for cow's milk. The case of Belgium in 2017 was also mentioned, where parents confused the suitability of giving their child cow's milk versus a vegetable drink. In the case of fish protein, the problem of vegan products that imitate canned tuna was exposed, but whose conservation must be refrigerated, with the consequent danger.


Promoting the Mediterranean diet in Europe instead of the “plant-based” diet


There was room to debate the recent European report on the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture and Food, presented last week by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, together with the person responsible for the report, Professor Peter Strohschneider.


The report includes in its recommendation 2.1 the increase in the consumption of “plant-based” foods in Europe, in light of which the report suggests that this transition should be accompanied by the consumer and proposes compensation for livestock farmers who might be affected by this trend. In other words, the report supports the “plant-based” diet.


From the #CadaCosaPorSuNombre initiative, it was requested that Spain stop the concept of a “plant-based” diet, returning to the studied patterns and endorsed benefits.
scientifically from the Mediterranean diet. It is absolutely false that these “plant-based” diets are better than the Mediterranean diet. From a nutritional point of view, they lack the benefits of animal products, which offer a unique digestive matrix, rich in high-quality proteins, essential nutrients and Omega 3 fatty acids, such as in oily fish, or vitamin B12 in meat.


Specific collaborative actions


The sectors represented in #CadaCosaPorSuNombre, submitted four petitions to the
Secretary General, which were as follows:

1. Request the new European Commission to implement the delegated act contained in Article 36 of Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 to establish additional provisions for vegan products, including prohibiting their imitation as a strategy of displacement and confusion.

2. Propose the development of harmonized national legislation for all products of animal origin, which clarifies the situation, for which it will be of great importance
usefulness to wait for the ruling of the European Court of Justice on the preliminary question raised by France.

3. Strengthen control and surveillance mechanisms by the Autonomous Communities, ensuring compliance with product labelling regulations
imitation vegans, with special attention, in addition, to the HORECA channel.

4. Develop, in collaboration with AESAN, educational campaigns aimed at consumers to increase awareness of nutritional differences
between foods of animal origin versus vegan products.


In short, promoting public-private collaboration in consumer protection, promoting a clear and unified approach, because if biased information is provided or there is a lack of clarity, confusion can arise.


<< And because there are no vegan chicken nuggets, let's call #CadaCosaPorSuNombre >>

    Representatives of Avianza, ANICE, ANFACO-CECOPESCA with the Secretary General of Consumption and Gaming.

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    AVIANZA COMMUNICATION: THE POULTRY MEAT SECTOR FORECASTS AN EXTRA COST OF €860 MILLION IN THIS LEGISLATURE DUE TO CHANGES IN THE EU TRANSPORT REGULATION

    • If the entry into force of the new European regulation on the transport of live animals continues, framed in regulations for the supposed promotion of animal welfare, it would mean an immediate investment of 361 million euros, plus another 125 million euros annually.  
    • For Avianza, this is a regulation that has not taken the sector into account and that is based on a totally “impossible” implementation, which would lead to the closure of Spanish meat companies and the arrival of chicken meat from countries outside the EU that do not meet minimum standards
    • The measure means reducing the loading capacity per truck by 43%, increasing the number of necessary trips by 65% (more than 15 million additional kilometers), and generating an additional 222% of greenhouse gas emissions.

    Madrid, June 27, 2024. Avianza, the Spanish Interprofessional Poultry Meat Association, has presented, on the occasion of the European Poultry Conference (Valencia), the main conclusions of its “Report on the Impact on the poultry meat sector of the proposal for a Regulation on the protection of animals during transport and related operations”, amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1255/97 of the Council of the European Union and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005. An initiative that supposedly seeks to promote animal welfare, but that neither improves it nor represents a benefit in terms of sustainability, with a negative impact in both fields, especially for Spain. 

    This analysis, which has been transferred to both the European Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the Government of Spain, details the disastrous implications of this regulation for both consumers and the environment, contrary to what it claims to intend, and In practice, it means the possible disappearance of thousands of farms and companies producing the poultry meat sector. in our country, given the consequences on the viability, competitiveness and restrictions of the new proposed regulations.

    The regulation aims to impose a redesign of the transport containers, increasing their height, as well as regulating the density in each of them. In addition, the consumption of inputs would increase, such as fuel, wear and tear on vehicles, overtime of transporters (with the consequent occupational risk and road congestion),... It would also imply the adaptation of mechanical infrastructure systems of the processing facilities, waiting times. , etc.  

    These are the main conclusions of the Report:

    Resolution of a Non-existent Problem

    The report highlights that the declines in poultry transport in Spain they are already extremely low, with an average of 0.3%. This figure indicates that the current regulation already guarantees a high level of animal welfare during transport. The proposal does not present a situation or impact analysis, and appears to address a problem that does not exist in the reality of the sector.

    Economic Impact on the Consumer

    The implementation of this regulation would have a brutal economic impact on the Spanish shopping basket, as has been demonstrated in other regulations applied in European countries regarding animal welfare defined behind the backs of the sector, and which has tripled in some cases the price of chicken, as in the case of the Netherlands.

    The additional production cost is estimated at 361 million euros in the first year alone for the adaptation of infrastructure, transportation, etc., to which 125 million euros would be added annually due to the increase in travel, additional necessary personnel, consumption of energy, etc. In total, 861 million euros in this legislature. An increase that would once again affect the entire value chain, especially the population in a situation of economic vulnerability.

    Risk to Food Sovereignty

    Spain is a key exporter of high-quality poultry genetics. The new proposed restrictions would put export capacity at risk, affecting the food sovereignty of both the European Union and the countries supplied. Companies would be forced to relocate outside the EU to maintain their markets, which would also endanger European food sovereignty. Unfortunately, relocation can actually be the step towards the closure of companies and the entry of production from other markets not subject to the regulation that is intended to be applied.

    Environmental Consequences

    The proposed regulation would increase CO2 emissions, water consumption and the carbon footprint of poultry transportation, reducing the sustainability of the sector. This contrasts with the sustainability and environmental protection objectives that the EU aims to promote. In addition to an increase in the number of trips to move the same production of poultry meat (more than 65%), it would imply the emission of 222% more greenhouse gas emissions.

    Assumption “Animal Welfare”

    Contrary to what is intended, the new regulations could harm animal welfare. Increased space between animals during transport could increase the risk of injuries and fractures, without providing significant benefits in terms of animal welfare. Transporting animals with lower densities would be equivalent to creating very dangerous gaps in the event of braking, as well as height regulations, which could cause raised animals to fall and break limbs. For comparison, this measure “"It would be like removing the seats from a bus so that people could travel standing on the road," which is clearly truly reckless.

    Avianza reiterates its commitment to animal welfare, sustainability and food safety. However, it urges that any new regulation be based on concrete data and a rigorous analysis of the real impact on the sector and consumers.

    Economic impact summary table.
    Arán Zaldívar, deputy technical director of Avianza and Enrique Díaz, director of Inprovo.