Animal Welfare Concerns Raised at Carrefour Quail Farm

On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the animal welfare association L214 filed a complaint against a quail farm in Grosbreuil, Vendée, France, alleging animal mistreatment. A separate complaint was filed against Carrefour, which sources eggs from the farm, for alleged “deceptive commercial practices.” A petition launched in conjunction with the complaint has already garnered over 100,000 signatures.

Conditions at the Quail Farm

According to L214, the farm houses approximately 95,000 quails, including 30,000 laying hens, which account for 7% of France’s annual production of table quail eggs. The association estimates that each quail has approximately 133 square centimeters of space – roughly the surface area of a smartphone. A prefectural decree issued in June 2021 indicates a capacity of 95,000 placements at the facility.

Allegations of Mistreatment and Deceptive Practices

L214 alleges that the quails are kept in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, with no access to the outdoors. Reports describe a wire mesh floor, a lack of natural light and fresh air, and the presence of decomposing carcasses and broken eggs. The association claims the conditions contradict Carrefour’s marketing claims of “animal-friendly farming” and “responsible products.”

Legal Action and Response

The complaint filed with the prosecutor of Les Sables-d’Olonne accuses the farm of animal mistreatment and Carrefour of deceptive commercial practices. L214 is calling on Carrefour to reduce its reliance on intensive farming by halving the number of animals used to supply its stores, suggesting a commitment to the Plant Protein Pact as a potential solution. Carrefour and the relevant authorities maintain that the farm’s conditions are compliant with regulations.

Broader Concerns About Intensive Farming

L214 highlights that this case is not isolated, stating that Carrefour is responsible for the intensive farming of 10 million chickens, pigs, sheep, and other animals each month. The association estimates that over 300,000 land animals are slaughtered daily to supply Carrefour’s stores, totaling over 100 million animals annually. The number of aquatic animals sold by the retailer is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions.