Norway phases out Frankenchickens – EU must follow suit
The Norwegian chicken industry has taken a historic step forward for animal welfare. Frankenchickens will be phased out, and the mass killing of newly hatched male chicks will stop. Project 1882 urges Sweden and the EU Commission to follow Norway’s lead.
One of Norway's largest food producers, Nortura SA, and the Norwegian Meat and Poultry Industry Association (KLF) have agreed to tackle two major animal welfare issues for chickens in factory farms: the use of fast-growing chicken breeds and the routine culling of male chicks. The measures go beyond what is required by Norwegian law.
The announcement from Norway's egg and chicken industry shows that change is possible. Setting end dates for the breeding of Frankenchickens and the culling of male chicks are important steps forward, ensuring that millions of animals either suffer less or are spared suffering entirely.
− Benny Andersson, CEO of Project 1882
Frankenchickens will be phased out by December 31, 2027. The mass culling of male chicks in the egg industry is planned to end the same year, with the goal of making sex-sorted eggs the new standard. The decision is expected to improve the lives of over 70 million chickens annually and spare more than 3 million male chicks each year from being killed immediately after hatching.
Project 1882 has long pushed for the same development in Sweden and across the EU. The organization calls on the EU Commission to set a corresponding end date so that animal welfare is prioritized, and the rest of the EU does not fall behind.
Norway has shown the way. The EU Commission must now act, setting an end date for the culling of male chicks. Corresponding legislation is also needed − Norway demonstrates that reducing animal suffering is possible, and the EU must follow.
− Benny Andersson
Frankenchickens: Bred to suffer
Frankenchickens grow so quickly that they experience pain, become ill, and die prematurely. Many develop mobility disorders, before their lives end between 35 and 42 days of age. Project 1882 urges the EU Commission to act by working for a ban on the breeding of Frankenchickens.
