Dutch Government Announces Roadmap to End Chick Culling by 2026

On Tuesday, the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature announced their roadmap to end male chick culling for table eggs sold in The Netherlands by 2026. The plan, developed in collaboration with the Dutch poultry industry, will prevent the culling of males for the 6 to 7 million hens who are annually hatched to supply Dutch consumers.

Dutch hatcheries are largely technologically prepared for this transition. Most hatcheries in the Netherlands are already equipped with in-ovo sexing machines to supply the German market, where a ban on chick culling has been in effect since 2022.

The Dutch roadmap introduces "ZED" (Zonder Eendagshaantjes Doden—Without Day-Old Chick Culling) as the Dutch equivalent to Germany's "OKT" (Ohne Küken Töten) certification. According to research the ministry commissioned, the additional production cost to farmers is 0.9 cents per table egg.

The government is actively engaging with retailers, food service providers, and manufacturers to build market support. Progress will be monitored through a new database tracking relevant production figures. With its strong existing technical infrastructure and new regulatory framework, the Netherlands appears well-positioned to join Germany and France in the broad adoption of in-ovo sexing for its local market. 

For more detailed information on in-ovo sexing technology and its commercial status, visit our Overview page.