French In-Ovo sexing system fails

France’s pioneering efforts to eliminate the mass culling of male chicks through mandatory in-ovo sexing have hit a major roadblock.

David Corredor

France’s pioneering efforts to eliminate the mass culling of male chicks through mandatory in-ovo sexing have hit a major roadblock. The French egg industry organization, CNPO, has officially terminated its interprofessional financing agreement nearly a year ahead of its scheduled expiration in September 2026.

• In-ovo sexing, a technology that determines the sex of chick embryos before hatching, was made compulsory in France in 2022.
• The move aimed to improve animal welfare by preventing the routine killing of male chicks, a practice long criticized for its ethical implications.
• France was one of only three EU countries to mandate this technology.

To fund the estimated €40 million annual cost, CNPO had negotiated a voluntary price supplement with major supermarkets—€0.39 per 1,000 eggs sold, later planned to reduce to €0.31. However, retailers, embroiled in fierce price wars, resisted the financial burden and eventually withdrew from the agreement, accusing CNPO of ignoring their concerns.

• In response, CNPO has scrapped the existing system and introduced a new model where the costs of in-ovo sexing are directly embedded into the production costs of poultry farmers.
• These costs will now be reflected in the production cost index maintained by Itavi, the poultry industry’s research institute.
• Farmers are expected to pass these costs along the supply chain, from distributors to food service and processing companies.

CNPO President Yves-Marie Beaudet described the decision as “responsible and courageous,” emphasizing that it simplifies a financially unstable system while preserving the sector’s commitment to animal welfare. He highlighted France’s leadership in ethical egg production, noting that 75% of hens already live outside enriched cages, compared to the EU average of 39%. The sector’s 2030 goal is to reach 90% in alternative farming systems.

The collapse of the financing system underscores the broader challenge of aligning ethical practices with economic realities. While in-ovo sexing represents a humane solution, its sustainability depends on equitable cost-sharing across the supply chain. The French government may need to intervene to ensure the long-term viability of this initiative, which remains a cornerstone of the country’s progressive animal welfare policies.