Misconception: Chicken meat is anything but sustainable

The industrial farming of broiler chickens leaves its mark on the planet and must be addressed if the European Commission is to achieve its goals for animal welfare and more sustainable food and agricultural systems.

You have probably heard the arguments before. White meat is not so bad for the planet. Chicken farming is «hsustainable». These kinds of claims are frequently made by industry representatives who have an interest in seeing the broiler chicken industry continue to grow across Europe and beyond, in the midst of a raging climate crisis – but they are deliberately misleading.

On the surface, the data appears to support these claims in some cases (a single broiler chicken, for example, does not produce as much ammonia as a single cow), but there is a close connection between the way broiler chickens are raised in factory farms and the climate and nature crisis we are currently facing.

Far more broiler chickens are raised in Europe than any other land animal species

Broiler chickens are raised by the billions across Europe in industrial farming systems, and over 95% of them are fast-growing breeds – bred to grow incredibly quickly so that they reach slaughter weight in just five to six weeks.

First, the poultry industry has a large ecological footprint due to the sheer number of broiler chickens being raised. Even though the impact of a single chicken is comparatively small relative to other livestock, these poor birds are raised in far greater numbers than any other animal species, which amplifies their impact considerably. In 2020, 11.5 billion chickens were slaughtered in Europe, compared to 328 million pigs, 67 million sheep and 39 million cows. How can it be that this industry leaves no trace given such an extreme quantity of chickens raised and killed every year?

This thought becomes even more striking when one considers the cruel conditions in which broiler chickens are raised in factory farms. Across Europe, stocking densities in broiler sheds are very high, leading to vast amounts of litter and consequently high ammonia emissions. As already mentioned, the vast majority of broiler chickens are bred to grow very quickly — and to promote this growth, they are typically fed animal feed that is not sustainably sourced. Furthermore, due to the problems associated with such an unnatural growth rate and high stocking density, they fall ill more frequently, leading to greater antibiotic use in these farming systems — an incredibly unsustainable practice that, according to research findings, causes more than 35’000 deaths in the EU every year.

Most industrially raised broiler chickens are fed imported soy

Another important reason why the broiler chicken industry contributes to climate change is the way in which it sources its animal feed.

Many broiler chickens are fed soybean meal made from soy imported from countries such as Brazil and Latin America. To illustrate the scale of this production: approximately 76% of soy currently grown is used for animal feed, the largest share of which goes to chickens.

Soy production for animal feed comes at a high cost to the planet. To make room for growing this crop and feeding billions of animals to make way for agriculture, wilderness areas and forests are being cleared at an alarming rate, contributing to biodiversity loss, soil erosion, greenhouse gas emissions, and more. As one of the leading consumers of soy-based animal feed, broiler chicken production is directly linked to deforestation and its devastating consequences for nature and the climate.

Countless broiler chickens are transported across Europe every year

And finally, a shocking number of poultry birds are exported into, around, and out of the EU every year, further compounding the industry's already enormous environmental footprint.

In 2019, poultry accounted for 98% of all live animal exports, making it the most traded farmed animal species. Furthermore, the sector is beset by problems affecting animal welfare and the environment. For instance, the industry still lacks strict restrictions on transport times, meaning vehicles can be used for long periods and very frequently (driving up emissions). The poor birds are also crammed into these vehicles, exposing them to extreme temperatures and injuries. Action must be taken.

Chicken meat should no longer be marketed as a “sustainable” food source

Far too many chickens are being raised across Europe in ways that are harmful to the environment and animal welfare for this industry to be considered sustainable. To achieve food and farming systems that are truly better for people, animals, and the planet, the European Commission must include the poultry industry in the equation and:

• significantly reduce the scale of broiler chicken farming across the EU
• improve animal welfare standards in the industry, including by limiting stocking density in broiler chicken sheds and banning fast-growing breeds. Studies show that slower-growing breeds such as Hubbard Norfolk Black and Ranger Gold are more sustainable, as they contribute to lower ammonia emissions and require far fewer antibiotics.
• Significant changes in the live transport industry, including a ban on the export of animals outside the EU and a reduction in transport times for various species – for poultry, transports should not last longer than four hours
• Establishing targets to reduce the consumption of red and white meat and animal-derived products in their food and agriculture laws, for example by requiring the promotion of a more plant-based food environment when developing their sustainable food systems framework.
• Higher animal welfare standards and a shift towards a more sustainable diet will significantly reduce the impact of animal husbandry, particularly in the poultry sector. Given that climate change and biodiversity loss represent increasingly urgent problems, it is essential that policymakers recognise the close links between animal welfare, trade, nutrition and unsustainable diets and agriculture, and act accordingly to reduce the sector's impact and achieve a better future for all.

Most of the statistics in this article are taken from our report “No Animal Left Behind” from 2021 and the report “External Costs of Animal-Based Food in the EU” from 2023.

You can help all animals and our planet with compassion. Choose compassion on your plate and in your glass. Go vegan.