‘The world has fundamentally changed,’ stated Oplaat. ‘Conflicts, geopolitical shifts, and economic uncertainty directly emphasize the importance of the poultry sector. Food production is no longer a given, but a strategic necessity.’ According to Nepluvi, the Dutch and European poultry sectors are facing increasing competition from countries with lower standards for animal welfare, the environment, and food safety. Imports from countries including China and Ukraine are increasing in large quantities, while supply from Mercosur countries is also growing. ‘We produce according to the highest standards in the world, but have to compete with products that do not meet these standards,’ said Oplaat. ‘This is unsustainable and undermines our food security.’ Nepluvi also argues that a possible accession of Ukraine to the European Union requires careful consideration and is currently inappropriate. The organization advocates more broadly for recognizing poultry as a ‘sensitive...’