EU 2004 Poultry Meat Output Should Rise

BRUSSELS - Feb 9/04 - SNS -- Poultry meat production declined across the European Union in 2003 as a result of last summer's heat wave and an outbreak of avian influenza in the Netherlands.

Production should recover this year, however, now that the Netherlands is recovering from avian influenza. On the other hand, production will likely continue drifting lower in France, Italy and Spain.

Last year's production decreases in those countries was partly offset by gains in Germany and the United Kingdom, according to data assembled by the U.S. agricultural attache here.

The increase in production in Germany was also indirectly due to avian influenza since many German broilers were slaughtered in Germany instead of sent to the Netherlands for slaughter. The decrease in French production is mainly due to sluggish demand, both domestically and abroad.

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