Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
232 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if his attention has been drawn to the decision by the Government of Austria to introduce a ban on battery chicken farming as part of a raft of new legislation to promote animal welfare; and if he has similar plans for Ireland. [21478/04]
View answerI am aware of the decision by the Austrian Government to introduce a ban on battery chicken farming.
The current EU rules for the protection of laying hens, including those in battery cages, are set out in EU Council Directive No. 1999/74/EC, which have been transposed into national law by way of the European Communities (Welfare of Laying Hens) Regulations, 2002 (SI 98 of 2002). These regulations provide for minimum standards for the protection of laying hens and specify the accommodation and other welfare requirements for their keeping and rearing. The directive, which I supported during Council discussions, significantly improves the welfare of laying hens throughout the EU and will in particular prohibit conventional battery cages from 2012. This deadline is generally in line with a vote of the European Parliament on battery cages and has been welcomed by the animal welfare interests. It is my intention that the approach to this issue in Ireland will continue to reflect broad consensus at EU level, as reflected by the directive, rather than the particular perspective of any single member state.
