Council Directive 2007/43/CE (June 2007) lays down minimum rules for the protection of chickens kept for meat production. It aims to reduce the overcrowding of chicken holdings by setting a maximum stocking density and ensure better animal welfare by specifying requirements such as lighting, litter, feeding, and ventilation.
This was the first time that 'Welfare Indicators' were included in animal welfare legislation as a means of scientific assessment.
For full details please refer to the directive.
For details of the scientific opinion supporting the legislation (which was provided by the predecessor of EFSA, the Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare) please refer to the EFSA website.
In April 2018, the Commission adopted a "Report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of Directive 2007/43/EC and its influence on the welfare of chickens kept for meat production, as well as the development of welfare indicators".
2017, the Commission concluded a study the "Application of the broiler directive (DIR 2007/43/EC) and development of welfare indicators".
April 2016, Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the impact of genetic selection on the welfare of chickens kept for meat production.