Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Nov 1998

Vol. 495 No. 7

Written Answers. - Poultry Industry.

John Gormley

Ceist:

266 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the mechanism in place in his Department to assess the welfare requirements of hens held in battery cages for the purpose of egg production, particularly in relation to the provision of appropriate space to individual birds; and the consideration, if any, given to economic implications of meeting minimum welfare requirements in the context of the Irish egg production industry. [21239/98]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

353 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food his views on an EU wide phase-out of the battery cage; and if he will ensure that the Council of Agricultural Ministers does not dilute the Commission's proposals to give caged hens more space. [21920/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 353 together.

The Care and Welfare of Poultry (Laying Hens) Regulations, 1990, are the specific legislation operated by my Department in relation to hen welfare. These regulations lay down the minimum requirements for the protection of laying hens kept in battery cages. I am arranging to send a copy of the regulations to the Deputy.

Discussions have been taking place at Council of Ministers and Council Working Party levels in relation to a proposal for a new Council Directive laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens kept in various systems of rearing. The proposal takes into account the latest Council of Europe Recommendations concerning domestic fowl.

While I take the view that hen welfare must be improved, any legislative changes proposed for the battery-cage sector must be introduced in a way which will not damage the EU egg industry by resulting in the importation, into this country and into other member states of the EU, of cheap battery-produced eggs from countries with little or no regard for hen welfare. As I indicated in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 6 October, the economic implications of providing the appropriate space necessary to meet welfare requirements and the space itself call for further consideration. My Department will participate fully in the discussions at EU level to ensure that the appropriate balance of interests is achieved.