German poultry sector wants EU ban on killing roosters

Germany's new law protecting male chicks has already prevented millions of animals from being killed immediately after hatching, Ripke said in an interview with German newspapers. "The new law will save about 40 million male chicks from death in Germany this year," Ripke said. Modern technology Since the ban was introduced in January, the German egg trade has been using modern technology to determine whether an egg becomes a hen or a rooster within nine days, Ripke reports. The president of the association called for uniform European rules. German law 'allows too many circumstances of circumvention'. 'For example, male chicks can be exported across the border and killed there,' says Ripke. Because in Poland, the Netherlands, Italy or France the killing of chicks is still allowed. Competitive Disadvantages German breeders would have competitive disadvantages in a European comparison. Killing male chicks is still legal in Switzerland, but only with gas. The shredding of male chicks ...