EU
Egg-Laying Hens Directive
Summary Description
Sets minimum animal welfare standards in egg production by banning conventional battery cages, limiting stocking densities and setting standards for two types of farming systems: enriched battery cages, and systems without cages.
Topics
Species
Jurisdiction
EU
Sub-Jurisdiction
N/A
Type of Act
Legislation
Status
In force
Legal Value
Binding
Date Enacted
1999
Date Updated
June, 2023
Official Citation
Council Directive 1999/74 of 19 July 1999 Laying Down Minimum Standards for the Protection of Laying Hens, 1999 O.J. L 203/53 - 57 (E.U.)
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Places a moratorium on the construction of conventional cages as of 2003, and prohibits their use since 2012. Only "enriched battery cages" are allowed since 2012. These have slightly less density levels and must contain enrichment materials (nesting area, scratching area and perches).
- Sets standards in systems which do not use cages, by placing a limit on stocking densities (nine laying hens per m2 usable area) and imposing the use of enrichment materials (perches, litters).
- Bans forced moulting.
- Imposes a minimum inspection rate of the animals of once a day.
- Provides general principles on noise levels, lighting regime, and mutilations.
Weaknesses
- Does not cover operations with less than 350 animals and only covers commercial egg-laying hens (not breeding animals).
- Does not contain a ban on the use of cages.
- Allows high stocking densities.
- The Annex provides a general ban on mutilations, which is neutralised by a broad exemption "Member States may authorize beak trimming."
- The provisions on the lighting standards remain broadly formulated and does not provide engineering standards.
Related Laws/Policies
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