The French government has granted the poultry sector €15 million in support to overcome the effects of the abolition of the EU subsidies on the export of frozen chicken to third countries.
The so-called special envelop of the European agricultural support system, will enable poultry producers and processors to further improve the quality of their products in order to have more opportunities on the export markets, minister Stéphane le Foll of agriculture and food has said.
In July 2013, the European Commission stopped the export scheme for frozen chicken completely. France always received most of that money, in 2012 over €60 million. The Brussels’ decision led to the closure of some French poultry processing facilities and a significant loss of jobs at other factories.
“Since that decision, I’ve done everything in my power to help the poultry sector in my country because I believe in its future and its potential. I think the two companies that are active on the export market, Tilly Sabco and Groupe Doux, have once again positive perspectives,” Mr Le Foll says.