Pampered pigs and healthy hens severe economic disadvantage for European farmers not reported AgriFood economy Centre.
European Union rules require a higher standard of treatment for certain breeds of pigs and chickens. The animals with space to move or have access to fresh air and sunlight often make European pork, chicken and eggs more expensive.
Many of these premium brand be animals only within their national markets sold, but the economic downturn questions on whether now European products are imported animal products out competing.
"We have investigated the link between animal welfare regulation in the EU and competitiveness." "We have seen that the impact on competitiveness and on trade is very low, if it exists at all," says Anna Andersson, researcher at the Centre of AgriFood economy in a press release from University of Lund.
The research curls to block some feathers on the political debate on putting up trade barriers to imports or make economically competitive to make it more EU products more expensive in a movement.
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Andersson's team explains putting up trade barriers to protect European companies from imports is not required.
"More trade barriers would increase prices, consumers would have less choice, the use of our agricultural resources would be less efficient and reduced competition would lead to a less dynamic industry is the pressure for improvement," said Andersson.
"EU protection of agricultural products already hits poor countries hardest and higher trade barriers would risk further deterioration of the situation," she added.
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Different types of caging operations affect costs and productivity, the study said. But a balance between free range and high density factory farming has been found that to be economically competitive.
For example, cages could ban in the case of egg laying hens, all increase the cost of eggs by around 8%. But the current practice of using "enriched" cages, cm room, a perch, nesting box, and throw providing at least 750 square was not found to increase retail prices significantly.
The "enriched" cages provide almost double the space of CAGES and cages in the Ukraine, India, Brazil and the United States, which average 300-400 square cm space per bird, according to the study.
The report found, the cost of feed-in fact was the largest costs for farmers.
No matter which animal welfare measures used the EU should continue to have a trade deficit in agricultural products. Most of this is due to the fact that Europeans love coffee, chocolate, tea, tropical fruits and other products, which will grow not in places where winter temperatures drop below freezing.
AgriFood economy Centre is a collaboration of the University of Lund and the Swedish University of agricultural sciences.
Image: a protected national breed, must be raised under strict standards for small businesses is chicken from Bresse, France. Due to their premium brand status get Bresse chicken about 15 euros ($21) per kilo. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
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