Venue: Jonkerbosch vergader- en trainingscentrum, Burgemeester Daleslaan 23, 6532 CL Nijmegen, tel. 00-31-(0)24 3500335
A European workshop for scientists, farmers, environmental specialists, policymakers and consumer organisations
The poultry industry is faced with a number of critical and serious questions: Should laying hens have access to an outdoor area? Should this also apply to broiler chickens, ducks and turkeys? Do husbandry systems with an outdoor area completely fulfil the requirements of sustainable production, i.e. aspects of People, Planet and Profit?
In several European countries, there is continued debate on the advantages and disadvantages of providing outdoor areas for poultry. It has been difficult to achieve consensus because of apparently conflicting implications for food safety, animal welfare and health, environmental impact and societal values. Scientists, poultry farmers, environmental specialists, policy makers, and consumers often have different views on whether and why a hen should or should not be kept outside. This workshop provides an unique opportunity for the exchange of knowledge and perspectives between all the players.
The main goal of this workshop is to seek an answer to the question 'Should hens be kept outside?' We will do this by:
bringing together the latest scientific knowledge
exchanging the perceptions, opinions and visions of scientists, farmers, consumers and policymakers
formulating a new vision on the benefits and necessity of outdoor access for poultry
identifying gaps in knowledge and new solutions
The programme consists of four themes related to outdoor area for poultry as well as a concluding session. The five sessions are:
Food safety
Animal welfare and health
Environmental issues (emissions to air, water and soil), labor quality
Societal values (landscape, recreation, consumer perceptions)
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