Health and Consumers Health and Consumers The enforcement preparation of the EU Commission after the laying hen experience Andrea Gavinelli Bente Bergersen DG Health and Consumers Unit G3 Animal Welfare The views expressed here are purely those of the writer and may not in any circumstances be regarded as stating an official position of the European Commission

Health and Consumers Health and Consumers Background Decision to ban battery cages taken in 1999 due to: 1) Strong scientific evidence that the welfare of laying hens is severely compromised in un-enriched cages 2) pressure from concerned citizens and consumers 2

Health and Consumers Health and Consumers Background (2) Transition to enriched cages or alternative systems represents a milestone for animal welfare:  first major step to higher animal welfare standards in EU  important to maintain confidence in EU decision making  important to ensure that farmers that have invested in new, more welfare friendly systems are not disadvantaged by unfair competition 3

Health and Consumers Health and Consumers Current status Despite long transitional period around one third of the Member States (MS) still have not managed to fully phase out un- enriched cages Compliance across EU is not expected in all MS till end of

Health and Consumers Health and Consumers Lessons to be learned In case of long transitional period:  A step by step implementation plan with separate goals for each step  Deadlines to be set for each step  Commission to monitor, throughout the transitional period, progress made by each MS 5

Health and Consumers Health and Consumers Lessons to be learned (2) Tools should be available to disseminate information:  to farmers on the new requirements, including the scientific justification  by arranging training courses for competent authorities and others  on which new systems are available, the advantages and cost of each  on financial aid 6

Health and Consumers Health and Consumers Lessons to be learned (3) NOTE: Unique mandatory labelling system for marketing of eggs exists  TRANSPARENT - enabled tracing of eggs from un-enriched cages  likewise enabled MS to remove illegal eggs and egg products from the internal market  helped prevent that farmers who have invested are undercut by those still keeping hens in un-enriched cages 7

Health and Consumers Health and Consumers Up-coming ban on sow stalls Too short a period has elapsed to allow for improvements with regard to ban on individual stalls for sows on  However, it has strengthened the political awareness on this issue  Meanwhile the Commission is requesting monthly updates from all MS on degree of implementation.  Preparation for launching of infringement procedures on are in place. 8

Health and Consumers Health and Consumers Thank you for your attention. 9