European Commission urges 13 Member States to implement ban on laying hen cages

Posted on 26/01/2012

Eurogroup welcomes the letters of formal notice the European Commission has sent today to 13 Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Romania) requesting for information to take action to address deficiencies in the implementation of European Directive 1999/74/EC which bans the use of barren battery cages for all laying hens in the European Union since 1 January 2012. The list of countries should also include Malta but it is not mentioned in the Commission statement.

It is totally unfair that producers in countries which are already compliant with the ban should be penalised by the marketing and sale of illegal eggs originating from countries where producers, despite the generous 12 years phase-out period, are still keeping millions of hens in conventional battery cages.

The concerned Member States have two months to respond to the letter of formal notice under EU infringement procedures. If they fail to react satisfactorily the European Commission will send a Reasoned Opinion requesting Member States to take the necessary measures to comply with the Directive within two months.

In addition to that, the Food and Veterinary Office of the European Commission will continue to closely monitor the situation in 14 non-compliant Member States.