COUNCIL RESOLUTION of 22 July 1980 on the protection of layer hens in cages

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Whereas the keeping of layer hens in cages is the most widely used means of egg production in the Community and makes a very large contribution to the high productivity of this sector;

Whereas, however, this means of housing may, in certain cases, lead to unnecessary and excessive suffering on the part of the animal ; whereas this risk justifies the adoption of appropriate measures;

Whereas the national laws at present in force in the field of the protection of intensively housed animals present differences which may distort conditions of competition and in consequence have a direct effect on the functioning of the common market;

Whereas there is therefore a need to establish priority parameters and define common minimum requirements satisfactory from the point of view of animal protection, social ethics and health and economically appropriate in all intensive housing systems ; whereas it is necessary for this purpose, as a first step, to envisage the establishment of Community measures in order to ensure the protection of layer hens in cages ; whereas, however, when adopting such measures it will be necessary to provide for a period of adaptation for their implementation;

Whereas, to provide the basis for further Community measures, the studies on poultry welfare must be continued, not only as regards the keeping of poultry in cages but also in possible alternative systems of housing,

HAS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

That the keeping of layer hens in cages must be subject to compliance with minimum standards and criteria established in order to ensure the protection of these animals;

That appropriate rules for this purpose should be adopted by the Council, acting on a proposal from the Commission, before 1 November 1981;

INVITES THE COMMISSION:

To submit, in good time, a report and, before 1 July 1981, proposals for achieving this objective, taking the economic implications into account in an appropriate manner;

To pursue its studies on the welfare of layer hens kept in the various systems of housing.