Norway becomes the first country in the world to ban broiler chickens

The Norwegian poultry industry is undergoing restructuring. By the end of 2027, fast-growing broiler chickens will be completely phased out from poultry farms.

Production of these birds must end no later than December 31, 2027.

At the same time, the industry is working to end the culling of male chicks. New technologies make it possible to determine the sex of a chick while it’s still in the egg.

Norway has thus become the first country to completely ban this widespread breeding line in industrial poultry farming.

The industry is implementing this decision gradually. Farmers intend to initially allow existing flocks to naturally decline.

According to the animal welfare organization Animal Welfare Alliance, this decision will affect more than 70 million chickens in the Norwegian poultry industry. At the same time, industry representatives agreed on a second measure: the culling of male chickens in egg production must also be discontinued no later than July 1, 2027.

Nortura SA, the largest meat and egg producer, and the Norwegian Meat & Poultry Industry Association (KLF) signed a joint statement on this issue.

As part of this agreement, the entire industry commits to comply with both animal welfare measures.