The Rise of Mega-Farms: How Industrial Agriculture Is Conquering Europe

Nevertheless, the European Commission (EC), certain producers and some members of the European Parliament (EP) are advocating for an increase in the number of farm animals.

But what would this expansion mean for animal welfare, human health and the environment?

The data-driven investigation by AGtivist has for the first time identified and mapped these industrial operations across Europe, revealing that the EU has 10,862 chicken farms each with at least 40’000 animals (for both meat and egg production) and 8’854 pig farms each with at least 2’000 pigs (2’547 for breeding).

In the past ten years, 2’746 mega-farms have commenced operations in the EU, with the highest rate of development recorded in Spain, where 1’385 new industrial farms were established over the past decade. In the past ten years alone, 5’314 permits for such farms were granted.

While mega-farms are conquering the EU, small and medium-sized operations are disappearing rapidly. Between 2005 and 2020, the EU lost 5.3 million farms – mostly small operations – while the total agricultural land area remained stable, indicating a consolidation towards larger farms.

This represents a decline of 44% in 15 years. At the same time, the number of mega-farms increased by 56% over the same period, with the 8% of operations with the highest production controlling 63% of livestock in the EU. Income disparities between these operations have increased up to sixtyfold.

Among the key statistics of the investigation are:

• France has the highest number of industrial chicken farms, with 2’342 operations.
• Spain has the highest number of industrial pig farms, with 2’580 operations for fattening pigs and 821 operations for breeding pigs. It is also the country where the most new operations have commenced in the last ten years.
• Italy is among the five countries with the most industrial pig and chicken farms.

Mega-farms operate intensive farming systems in which chickens are kept densely packed in sheds with inadequate ventilation, unsanitary conditions, and no access to outdoor areas or natural light.

The investigations conducted by AGtivist in Italy, supported by Essere Animali, revealed the reality of animal welfare on the ground: chickens at a farm in Bergamo were living in their own excrement and were unable to stand on their feet due to their unnatural growth rates. In Brescia, investigators observed chickens crammed on top of one another in extremely confined spaces, while carcasses were left to decompose for up to three weeks.

In Spain, local investigations reveal the concentration of pigs in intensive farming operations, where pigs are kept under overcrowded, unsanitary conditions and suffer from untreated injuries and diseases. Sows are confined in metal cages barely two square metres in size, preventing natural movement and leading to severe physical consequences.

The Eurogroup for Animals, representing more than one hundred animal welfare organisations, calls for the abolition of all cages for all species, minimum space requirements, a ban on fast-growing breeds, a drastic reduction in stocking density, and a legal obligation to provide outdoor runs and access to open areas. These animal welfare improvements should form part of the modernisation of the “On-Farm legislation,” which is two decades old and should have been published over 600 days ago.

This investigation shows that the number of mega-farms in the EU is increasing rapidly, which contradicts the promise to improve animal welfare and transition to more sustainable agriculture. This should be a wake-up call for decision-makers in Brussels. It is important that the European Commission makes smart and well-informed decisions about the future of agriculture. Funds should flow into agricultural systems that are truly sustainable, competitive and resilient. Reineke Hameleers, CEO, Eurogroup for Animals.