Allister defends poultry industry
14 February 2006
Statement by DUP MEP Jim Allister:-
Today in the votes on the report on "Rules for the protection of chickens kept for meat production", I voted to maximise the protection of our poultry industry against the threats of cheap imports, which already has robbed Northern Ireland of a poultry factory in recent weeks.
It is understandable to be concerned about poultry welfare, but there is no sense in so hyping welfare requirements in the EU that we drive producers out of business and become dependent on imports from Far Eastern and South American countries where no enforceable welfare restraints apply to production. That serves only to increase the number of poultry reared in appalling conditions. Thus, we need to balance animal welfare requirements in the EU with ensuring a viable industry survives.
I therefore today in the votes in the Parliament opposed any further reduction in stocking density as such will inevitably severely affect the economics of broiler chicken production within Europe.
