France seeks to boost slaughter capacity to manage animal disease outbreaks and extreme heat impacts on poultry.
France seeks to boost slaughter capacity
The French Ministry of Agriculture has launched a public tender to expand slaughter capacity, aiming to better handle challenges like animal diseases requiring culling and extreme heat events. The move comes after a 2023 report by the CGAER highlighted that France's current slaughter services are insufficient during crises.Crisis management and disease outbreaks
The increased capacity could be used during outbreaks of category A animal diseases, as defined by European regulations. These diseases require immediate eradication, often through mandatory slaughter. This includes severe cases of avian flu and other highly contagious illnesses.Heatwaves and poultry losses
The measure also aims to manage losses in poultry farms, especially during heatwaves. The summer of 2023 saw the death of 2.5 to 3 million poultry due to extreme heat, highlighting the need for improved crisis response in the sector.Public consultation and future steps
On October 12, the ministry sent a questionnaire to operators affected by the 2026 heatwave. Results will be analyzed and shared on December 2, with the next meeting of the slaughter working group set for January 14.
