Ciarán Cuffe
Question:103 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will persuade the European Union as a whole to ban enriched cages when the hens directive is reviewed in 2005. [22886/02]
Written Answers. - EU Directives.
As indicated in response to Question No. 264, on 5 November 2002, the purpose of the European Commission review of the laying hens directive is to assess the results of scientific research into the welfare of laying hens which will be available at that time. There are several ongoing research projects in this area geared towards providing the scientific information necessary to advise member states during the review in 2005 and my Department will take careful note of such research. It would not be prudent to anticipate the scientific evidence at this stage.