EU-India Trade: time to Prioritise Animal Welfare

In conjunction with Eurogroup for Animals, Animal Policy International has released footage from India in the European Union.

An investigation by Animal Policy International into Indian farms has uncovered distressing conditions for hens, broilers, fish and shrimp, many of which end up in the EU market. The footage underscores the need for the EU to ensure that imported animal products do not fuel animal cruelty abroad, and that welfare standards apply to imports.

The footage from multiple Indian farms documents a multitude of animal suffering, including

Hens crammed into battery cages, typically used for 2-3 birds, with up to 10 birds; infections; poor access to water; and dead birds left lying around the cages.
Broiler chickens unable to stand, suffering from feather loss and skin lesions.
Fish crammed at densities far beyond acceptable levels, struggling to breathe and showing signs of asphyxiation during processing, while shrimp are killed without stunning.

These conditions are in contradiction to the standards set in the EU. Battery cages, which have been banned across the EU since 2012, based on animal welfare concerns, are still widely used in India, with 80% of hens confined to these cages. India is the world’s third largest egg producer and fifth for poultry, with plans to expand.

Although the EU does not currently import egg products from India, this could change in the future, especially if the deal liberalises trade for these products. Similarly, the conditions observed for broilers and fish fall short of the high welfare standards expected by EU citizens, as shown in a recent survey.