EU directive to result in big changes in rearing of laying hens, says MEP

MAJOR changes in the current system of rearing laying hens are on the way, according to Ireland East MEP Mairead McGuinness.

She said the changes were due to come about as a result of an EU directive due to come into force in three years.

Ms McGuinness said she had asked the EU Council to indicate whether an extension to the deadline would be provided, given that in 2006 almost 80% of EU egg production came from the conventional caged system.

“This system of production is due to be outlawed when the directive comes into effect in 2012. The council has now clarified that following confirmation from the commission, the intention is not to defer the date of implementation,” she said.

Ms McGuinness said pressure from consumer groups concerned about animal welfare had led to this directive on laying hens.

“However, the implementation of the directive will have major implications for the vast majority of egg producers in Ireland and the EU.

“Significant investment in new ‘free range’ or ‘barn egg’ systems will be required as caged systems are phased out,” she said.

Ms McGuinness said it was not clear if existing producers would make the necessary investments to change their systems away from caged units.

She called on the Department of Agriculture and Food to provide an estimate of the costs involved in meeting the requirements of the directive and to outline what plans were in place to ensure a smooth transition to the new regime.

Given the current economic climate, Ms McGuinness said, consumer resistance was likely to raise egg prices, which would accompany new production systems required to meet the needs of the directive.