July 22, 2009
Ireland to provide US$23 million for new hen cages
Ireland's government will provide local poultry producers with EUR16 million (US$23 million) to help them meet new EU welfare standards that will illegalise battery cages by 2012.
To comply with the new ruling, battery cages must be replaced by enriched cages, which provide the hens with more room, a nest, litter for dust bathing, a claw-shortening device and a perch.
The Irish Egg Association welcomed the move, saying the fund is vital to help secure the future of the domestic egg industry. John Mohan, chairman of the association, said Irish egg farmers would need to invest at least EUR40 million (US$57 million) to convert to the new enriched cage system.
The funding would come from a new EUR113 million (US$160.3 million) targeted scheme for on-farm investment to support specific categories of farmers and was focused on supporting productive investment.
