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[INTERNATIONAL] · Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Poland · 9 sources

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Sweden poultry welfare: Ross 308 chickens under scrutiny

Undercover footage obtained by the organization Djurens Rätt has revealed welfare concerns on Swedish poultry farms, specifically regarding the Ross 308 broiler chicken breed. The footage shows birds struggling to stand, walk, or breathe due to their rapid growth rate. Experts, including researchers from Linköping University, note that these chickens increase their weight 50 times within a 35-day lifespan, often resulting in soft skeletons that cannot support their body mass.

The Ross 308 breed accounts for 99 percent of all broiler chickens in Sweden. While industry organization Svensk Fågel maintains that the animals are healthy and well-cared for, critics point to high mortality rates and systemic issues. Some researchers suggest the mortality rate is an unnecessary consequence of the current breeding system.

In response to the findings, Swedish Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren has been summoned to the Committee on Environment and Agriculture. The controversy highlights a broader European trend; countries such as Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands are already moving to phase out these fast-growing breeds to improve animal welfare standards.

Entities

Djurens Rätt · Linköping University · Linköpings universitet · Peter Kullgren · Ross 308 · Svensk Fågel · Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet · Sweden

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