The European Commission warned today that it will launch legal action in the coming days against 14 EU countries that still allow farmers to keep egg-laying hens in cramped, illegal cages.
A European Union law adopted in 1999 banned the use of tiny cages and gave governments 13 years -- until January 1 this year -- to comply with rules requiring farmers to give hens more breathing space.
But the EU's executive arm estimates 51 million hens are still confined.
The 14 states facing infrigement proceedings -- a first legal step that can lead to fines -- are France, Spain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Romania.
"We are launching infringement procedures against all the member states that are non-compliant and these will start in a few days," EU Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner John Dalli told a news conference.
The law says hens must be given at least 750 square centimetres of living space, if not a nest, a perch or free-range conditions. But some hens are still being kept in spaces no more than the size of a standard sheet of paper.
As of January 1, eggs from hens kept in illegal cages will no longer be eligible for export or retail sales. They will however be allowed for industrial use.
Dalli announced the upcoming action as he unveiled a new four-year strategy to improve animal welfare in the 27-nation bloc, calling for a new law to ensure better lives for animals and a reinforcement of current rules.
The commission now wants to tackle the poor living conditions of sows.
"The recent coming into force of the 'laying hens' legislation has shown that problems persist in animal welfare in several member states," Dalli said.
"Some efforts are being made, but many issues need to be tackled in a different way in order to achieve more sustainable results."
GOVERNMENT REACTION
The Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs in a reaction said the directive in question applies only to establishments with 350 or more egg-laying hens.
It said that all establishments in Malta are now in line with the provisions of this directive and the Maltese authorities have officially informed the Commission accordingly.