French poultry farming: a genuine international player

A major player in the exportation of poultry

French poultry benefits from generations of know-how and from a system of inspections and legal regulations that largely satisfy importers since they guarantee that consumers will obtain the highest level of quality assurance, going beyond the requirements set throughout Europe. France therefore plays an active role in the international export environment:

• It is the world's 3rd largest exporter of poultry, behind the US and Brazil, representing over 1 billion euros in turnover for the industry's exports.

30% of French production is exported, representing:

• over 82 million chicks weighing under 185g,
• more than 27 million live chickens destined for slaughter,
• 536,000 tons¹ of fresh and frozen meat,
• and 64,300 tons¹ of preparations, canned goods and pickled meats.

First-rate production

©SAVEL

Chicken, turkey, duck, fowl, capon, goose, hen, quail, cockerel, a substantial number of species, products and presentations that contribute to the strength of this French sector. With production of over 1.8 tons¹ of poultry, France is the:

• number 1 producer of all types of poultry in the European Union and fifth largest producer worldwide (coming after the US, China, Brazil and Mexico),
• number 2 producer of duck and turkey in the world.

A structured organisation, whose know-how is recognised

©Rébecca Pinos/Min.Agri.Fr.

Supported and monitored by public authorities, selectors, egg hatchers, breeders, food producers, abattoirs and poultry professionals dedicate their know-how to serving consumers, while closely following applicable regulations. The industry's priority: guaranteeing delicious poultry that provides top-notch safety and quality.

• Efficient and verifiable tracking at all stages, which allows the product to be monitored at each step: reproduction, hatching, feeding, placement, breeding, slaughter and then cutting and sale.
• Complete control of sanitation throughout the network, based on current French an European legislation, coupled with the strict adherence to professional best practices guides.
• An active presence of the official monitoring agencies: Regional agency for veterinarian services (DDSV), Regional agency for fair business practices and fraud repression (DDCCRF).
   

  The DDSV (Regional agencies for veterinarian services)

  The DDSV is the detached ministerial department in charge of agriculture and fishing. Their mission is to supervise the country's adherence to health regulations and to provide an active alert network. A regional echelon coordinates state management, un the authority of the region's chief of police.

  Over 4,000 agents in 112 cells, whose activities are reinforced by 9,000 appointed veterinarian specialists, supervise and monitor the feed quality, from the field to the plate.

  Each day, these specialised agents, who have been granted both judicial and police administration authority, are able to contribute to the protection of public health, animal health as well as the environment.

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  The DGCCRF, Regional agency for fair business practices and fraud repression (Ministry of economics and finances)

  The role of the DGCCRF on the market is to ensure free and fair competition, and to protect consumers in their daily lives. Its field of expertise is focused on safety, fair competition and the quality of consumer goods (components, added substances, authorised treatments, labelling, sales practices…) as well as the services sector. Food represents a portion of its activities.

  4,100 agents working for the market supervision authorities, whose 2,000 surveyors cover the entire country, from the central office to the 100 regional management agencies.

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• Efficiency that's recognised by the quality inspection departments of the industry's players.

In France, the poultry industry represents:

• 20,600 poultry farming² operations,
• and 164 abattoir and cutting³ companies, with their 34,900 employees.

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