Quality Schemes
European and national laws lay down a wide range of rules with which poultry farmers and processors must comply. In addition, several EU member states have introduced private quality schemes that go beyond the legal requirements. In the Netherlands, this is Integrale Keten Beheersing (IKB).
The IKB system
Participation in IKB is voluntary, but strict conditions apply to every part of the production chain, from hatcheries and breeding farms to meat processors. Official certifying bodies carry out inspections at least once a year and issue certificates that are valid for one year.
Currently, IKB covers almost 100 per cent of the Dutch poultry sector.
More information on the IKB certification scheme can be found on AVINED‘s website.
Other member states have their own private schemes. Germany, for example, has the QS system, similar to the IKB scheme.