23 January 2008

FVE Welcomes the Commission's position to keep the ban on battery cages

FVE has always been of the opinion that there is substantial evidence that banning the use of conventional battery cages for laying hens could considerably improve the health and welfare of these birds and is very happy to see that this is now supported by the report published by the Commission on 8 January 2008.

An EU ban on conventional battery cages is due to enter into force from 2012, in line with Directive 1999/74/EC on minimum standards for laying hens. The Commission report states that this 2012 deadline should be maintained. The FVE takes the position that the Commission Communication provides not only clear animal welfare and animal health arguments but also other (socio economic, consumer preferences, etc) arguments that beyond doubt show that the ban on battery cages should be maintained for 2012. Postponement of the ban would not only give the impression that EU Animal Welfare rules shouldn’t be taken serious but it would also have disadvantaged all those producers who have already abandoned battery cages and invested in alternative systems.FVE urges operators to start phasing out the use of these cages as soon as possible so that there is full compliance with the EU ban by the deadline of 2012.

Link to Commission's position

Notes for Editors:

• The Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) is an umbrella organisation of 43 veterinary organisations from 36 European countries, representing a total of around 200 000 veterinarians.
• For further information, consult the fve website http://www.fve.org or contact the FVE Secretariat on tel +32 2 533 70 20 or by e-mail to info@fve.org