Abstract
Simple SummaryAnimal welfare (AW) in conventional Dutch broiler production (i.e., production systems that only satisfy the legal minimum requirements) has been under critique for decades. Then, suddenly, in 2014–2015, AW was improved for the entire Dutch fresh meat market for broilers. A study was conducted regarding the main reasons and decisive factors of this transition. It was found that important factors in bringing-about this transition were: (1) The availability of a cost-efficient alternative to conventional concepts, (2) a basic willingness to change within the entire value chain (including consumers), (3) initiating and triggering actions by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), (4) decisive initiatives by retailers and (5) simultaneous introduction of the new concept and replacement of the conventional concept (i.e., depriving the consumer of a cheaper choice alternative). It was concluded that, if these decisive factors were present, considerable improvements with regard to AW could be obtained in a relatively short period of time. This information can be of use for value chains of other species (e.g., pork) and countries outside the Netherlands.Since the 1970s, animal welfare (AW) in Dutch broiler production has been criticized by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the general public. Despite the development of production concepts aimed at improving AW, the conventional concept, which satisfied only the minimum legal requirements, remained by far the most dominant one in the Dutch fresh broiler meat market. Then, quite suddenly, in 2014–2015 (i.e., within less than two years), a new broiler concept with increased AW was introduced, which included a slower growing animal, more space, and an improved light regime. This alternative completely replaced the by then conventional concept. The aim of this study was to investigate the origin, causes, and driving forces of this sudden change. Popular and scientific literature, as well as interviews with key players in this transition process, were used to re-construct the chronology of events and draw the main and decisive findings. The latter include: (1) The availability of a cost-efficient alternative to conventional concepts, (2) a basic willingness to change within the entire value chain (including consumers), (3) initiating and triggering actions by NGOs, (4) decisive initiatives by retailers and (5) simultaneous introduction of the new concept and replacement of the conventional concept (i.e., depriving the consumer of a cheaper choice alternative). The result was a real transition of the Dutch fresh meat market without negative purchasing responses of the consumers. It was concluded that, although the Dutch fresh broiler meat market only included 30% of total domestic production, the existence of the abovementioned decisive factors could bring about an important change in favor of AW within a short period of time.
Highlights
Since the 1970s, the issue of animal welfare (AW) has received increasing public attention.It started with layer chicken kept under battery conditions and gradually expanded to broilers
Until roughly 10 years ago, these developments were focused on the development of the “right side” of the spectrum—development of new biological and organic broiler production systems
The New Dutch Retail Standard (NDRS) did not meet the 1-star standards completely, this was still regarded as a major event in improving AW, because the initiative came from the retailers themselves
Summary
Since the 1970s, the issue of animal welfare (AW) has received increasing public attention. The aim was to improve AW with relatively moderate technical changes and, a moderate increase in production costs They would be in the middle between conventional and organic/biological systems [2]. Several large retailers, including market leaders Albert Heijn and Jumbo, took initiative regarding the broiler market They decided to change their assortment by no longer supplying conventional broiler meat and replacing it with a new product from their own concept with (claimed) higher AW. The NDRS did not meet the 1-star standards completely (see Vissers et al [3]), this was still regarded as a major event in improving AW, because the initiative came from the retailers themselves This rapid and complete change raised various questions, both within and outside the Netherlands, such as: 2. The aim of this study was to provide an answer to these questions
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