Spanish Poultry Farmers Protest EU Decision to Allow Moroccan Chicken Imports

The European Union authorized Morocco in July to import poultry meat into European markets (Regulation 2022/140). A decision denounced by Spanish poultry farmers who believe that imports of poultry from third countries are not necessary when we know that Spain is the second largest producer of this meat after the United Kingdom, with one million tons, reports El Debate.

The Union of Small Farmers (UPA) and the Coordination of Farmers’ and Livestock Breeders’ Organizations (COAG) point out that these third countries, including Morocco, do not comply with EU legislation on animal health and welfare. These organizations have called on the EU and Spanish authorities to accept fewer imports from Morocco and provide "more support" to local breeders "to avoid the bankruptcy of 5,000 breeders."

They also call on the authorities to "enforce the law" to save poultry farmers, since production costs "far exceed" the profits received. Farmers "barely earn 0.15 euros on the 3.25 euros that consumers pay for a kilo of chicken," they lament.