Extreme heat in France has killed hundreds of thousands of poultry and overwhelmed carcass disposal systems, agricultural organisations said. A severe heatwave continues to disrupt farming, energy supplies and daily life across Western Europe.
Authorities in France’s two biggest poultry-producing regions are now considering allowing on-farm burial after rendering services were unable to cope with the surge in animal deaths.
In Pays de la Loire, France’s second-largest poultry region, farmer Clément Blanchard said he lost around 700 chickens in a matter of days, compared with a normal rate of one or two per day.
“We’re faced with the same thing with our animals as we are ourselves, they suffer enormously from the heat,” he said, adding that mortality rates had risen sharply during the heatwave.
Yann Nedelec, head of industry group ANVOL, estimated that at least several hundred thousand poultry had died across indoor and outdoor farms, though he said it was too early to give a precise figure.
Agricultural chambers in Brittany and Pays de la Loire described the deaths as “massive,” noting that together the regions account for nearly 60% of France’s poultry production.
Carcass collection systems, which normally send animals for rendering, have been overwhelmed by the volume, leading authorities to advise temporary measures such as covering carcasses with sawdust or wood shavings to absorb fluids.
On-farm burial could be permitted following environmental and technical checks, according to the agricultural authorities.
The heatwave is also affecting cattle farmers, with high temperatures reducing feed intake, increasing water demand and lowering milk yields.
Frederic Vincent, a dairy farmer near Angers with around 70 cows, said milk production had dropped by 15% to 20% as animals struggled with extreme heat inside barns.
“They’re standing there with their mouths wide open, just trying to find air,” he said, describing how cows were gathering under ventilation points as fans ran continuously.
The conditions come as Western Europe experiences a broader heatwave that has killed dozens of people, forced school closures, disrupted power supplies and pushed farmers to harvest grain at night to avoid peak temperatures.
Yemen warned the Houthis were seeking to replicate Iran's Strait of Hormuz strategy in the Red Sea, as U.S. President Donald Trump said there was a "g...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he held a productive meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, with talks f...
The diplomatic dispute over France's overseas territories is widening, with pro-independence leaders in the Caribbean and the Pacific rejecting claims...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that there is a good chance” of reaching a deal with Iran, but warned that Washington would resume military operation if negotiations fail.
Iran will halt its own attacks as long as the United States maintains its pause on strikes, but Tehran remains sceptical of U.S. intentions, a senior Iranian source told on Sunday.
The Russia-Ukraine war is increasingly reshaping the Caspian region. From threats to energy infrastructure to renewed diplomatic efforts, countries across the region are adapting to the wider consequences of a conflict that continues to disrupt trade, transport and security.
Yemen warned the Houthis were seeking to replicate Iran's Strait of Hormuz strategy in the Red Sea, as U.S. President Donald Trump said there was a "good chance" of a deal with Tehran but warned strikes could resume if talks failed.
A New York school district has put plans to introduce a humanoid robot into classrooms on hold after fierce criticism from teachers, Indigenous community members and state education officials over the use of artificial intelligence in schools.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he held a productive meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, with talks focusing on air defence cooperation and efforts to advance diplomatic negotiations.
The diplomatic dispute over France's overseas territories is widening, with pro-independence leaders in the Caribbean and the Pacific rejecting claims by French lawmakers that Azerbaijan is interfering in France's internal affairs.
U.S. diplomats walked out of a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine after accusing France of making "disingenuous grandstanding" by comparing Washington with North Korea, Russia and other authoritarian states.
Meteorologists in China have used a swarm of drones to observe Typhoon Noul as it passed through Guangdong province, aiming to improve weather monitoring and forecasting during extreme storms.
Tehran has stressed that its commercial vessel hit by a Ukrainian drone in the Caspian Sea on Saturday was carrying only civilian cargo and vowed to respond appropriately while holding Kyiv responsible for the attack.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment