Denmark seeks national and EU bans on fast-growing chickens

Denmark is pursuing a ban on fast-growing chickens and urging the European Union to introduce similar restrictions, following public outrage over allegations that a Danish poultry producer breached animal welfare law. The proposed ban is drawing support across political parties, while industry representatives say restrictions must also cover imports if they are to improve welfare.

A TV2 documentary broadcast last week alleged that producer Christian Tvergaard gave chickens only half the legally required daily period of darkness to encourage them to eat more. The programme included footage secretly recorded inside a chicken coop in North Jutland. In response, Tvergaard acknowledged making wrong decisions and said he had changed the lighting programme, tightened procedures and adjusted staff scheduling.

At the centre of the debate is the Ross 308, commonly called the turbo chicken and the breed most widely used in Danish poultry production. Its weight rises from roughly 50 grams to 2kg within 33 days, a pace that can cause bone and organ problems. Other breeds need between 46 and 63 days to reach 2kg.

Christian Rabjerg Madsen, Denmark’s minister for nature and animal welfare, urged consumers to avoid buying turbo chickens. He told TV2 that the government would pursue prohibitions both nationally and at EU level, while acknowledging that a Danish ban would require examination of its legal and economic implications.

Danpo chief executive Klement Hinkbøl Ribergaard warned that banning domestic production alone could leave shops, restaurants and consumers buying imported fast-growing chicken of uncertain quality. He argued that such an outcome could fail to deliver benefits for animal welfare, underscoring the industry’s call for imports to be included in any restrictions.

An EU ban would represent a major change for poultry production across the bloc. According to Eurogroup for Animals, 95% of EU chickens are raised in intensive systems and bred to produce meat as cheaply as possible. The advocacy group’s chief executive, Reineke Hameleers, said rapid growth leaves the birds predisposed to suffering and struggling to support their bodies on their legs. She urged the EU to follow Denmark’s lead.

Britta Riis, chief executive of Animal Protection Denmark, also condemned the breeding practices behind turbo chickens, saying they cause substantial suffering and systematic abuse. Her organisation wants every chicken to be bred for 56 days, matching the period used for organic breeds.

The controversy comes amid sustained public discussion of animal welfare in Denmark. Pig farming became such a prominent issue during the last general election that the contest was dubbed the “pig election”. The country is also scheduled to end mink farming by August 2029, after the current government chose not to request an EU exemption allowing the practice to continue.