In the Netherlands, a historical change in the Dutch egg industry is underway: the minister of agriculture, Femke wiersmaofficially outlined a roadmap for gradually eliminate the demolition of male chicks. The Dutch government has in fact announced that by 2026 It will be the killing of male chicks inside the egg industry.
Together with Italy, France and Germany, Holland adds to the ranks of countries that have decided to prohibit the killing of male chicks just one day of life in the egg industry. The Dutch poultry sector, the association for the protection of animals and the ministry of agriculture, fishing, food safety have developed a roadmap so that, by 2026, no newborn male chick is more killed for the production of eggs intended for the Dutch and German market.
I am proud that the sector has accepted the challenge of achieving this goal in collaboration with the association for the protection of animals and my ministry. This shows that the Dutch agricultural sector is making concrete efforts for animal welfare, declares Femke Marije Wiersma, according to which This prohibition will allow you to avoid the killing of about 7 million male chicks every year.
Geweldig Dat We Samen Met De Pluimveesector en de @Dierbeschering Een Grote Stap Zetten Op Het Gebied Van Derenwelzijn. In 2026 Worden voor de Tafeleieren Voor de Nederlands en duitse Markt Namelijk Geen Endagshaantjes Meer Gedood. https://t.co/ldwmgufiy 1/2 pic.twitter.com/wzqwvx3t52
– Femke Marije Wiersma (@minislervnvn) Febration 11, 2025
The situation in Italy
While Minister Wiersma has also declared that the incubators of the country have already adopted the technologies capable of operating the ovo sessage, in Italy – despite the law approved in 2022 the killing of male chicks – The government has not yet issued the implementing measures to make the ban applicable by the end of 2026.
The deadline for the issuance of the suspended measures was set for April 7, 2024 and the failure to implement the legislation risks continuing to encourage the demolition of millions of chicks through painful practices.
To ensure that the prohibition of demolition is effective, the implementation decree of the law provides, among other things, the implementation and promotion of the sessage ovo technologies within the egg industry. These technologies are able to detect the sex of the embryo and to avoid killing by shredding the chicks once born. Despite the needs provided for by the law, they currently do not however be funds allocated to support the transition to the sessage by the companies.
Italy is wasting precious time. There is no effective intervention by the ministries of agriculture, health and Made in Italy which are leaving a historical law for animal rights in Italy in suspense. The government must act now and act as a forerunner in Europe to really respect animal welfare, which also recognizes and should protect, concludes Ombretta Alessandrini, head of the animal equality Italy campaigns.
