September 6, 2011

MPs raise concerns on non-compliance with EU's cage ban

MPs have warned that one-third of EU egg production will not comply with new rules governing the ban of conventional laying cages.

New rules stipulating laying hens can only be kept in 'enriched cages' providing more space, perches, a nest and litter for scratching, are due to come in across the EU on January 1, 2012.

In a report examining the Welfare of Laying Hens Directive, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee claims the European Commission is 'sleepwalking into a potential commercial disaster' over the regulations.

The MPs claim UK egg producers, which are complying with the rules, will face unfair competition from the one-third of Europe's eggs set to be produced in conditions which will be illegal from the start of next year.

Committee chair Anne McIntosh said, "The European Commission has just not woken up to the impact that non-compliance with this legislation will have on egg producers in the UK and across Europe.

"UK egg producers have spent around GBP400 million (US$644million) to improve conditions for laying hens. That money will be wasted and UK producers will be left at a competitive disadvantage if cheaper, illegal and non-compliant shell eggs and egg products can be imported to the UK from other European countries."

The report calls on the UK Government to press for an intra-community trade ban on the export of non-compliant eggs and egg products.

It also urges the European Commission to initiate infraction proceedings against member states where caged egg producers remain non-compliant once the directive comes into force.

McIntosh said several member states had not provided data to the Commission about the preparedness of their caged egg producers.