What is the current situation regarding cages within the EU?
In 2 years time, conventional cages will be banned throughout Europe. As of January 1, 2012, eggs produced within the EU will only be permitted by making use of: enriched, free-range, barn, or organic methods. According to the latest figures presented by Mark Williams, in Europe in 2008, 278 mln hens were in cage systems, and only 20 mln, just 7% of these, were in enriched colonies. He believes that the industry faces a huge challenge to move all those hens across in the time remaining. What progress is being made by EU member states? – Germany Germany is operating ahead of the EU; all laying hens in the country must be out of conventional cages by the end of 2009. Gert Stuke explained to IEC members attending the IEC Conference that 6 research farms were set up in Germany to study the animal, ethical and human aspects of using enriched colony systems. The research farms studied all aspects of animal health and hygiene, as well as the ethical implications such as animal protection, hum
