WRITTEN QUESTION E-2226/98

by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission

(16 July 1998)

Subject: Problems with battery chickens

In recent days, the Finnish media have given much coverage to problems associated with the bad conditions in which battery chickens are kept. On account of the financial straits in which chicken farmers find themselves, chickens have been subjected, inter alia, to shortages of feed and confinement in inhumanely small cages where, according to research, they suffer from very high levels of stress and fear in comparison with deep-litter chickens.

What is the Commission's view of allegations that the EU's support policy for chicken farming incites farmers to maximize their profits, inter alia, by delaying slaughter dates, and how could the Union's support policy be altered so as to take better account of the deficiencies in chickens' living conditions? How will the Commission ascertain what deficiencies there are in chicken farming within the territory of the EU?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(21 September 1998)

The Act of Accession for Austria, Finland and Sweden provided for the immediate introduction of common (lower) agricultural prices in these new Member States as of 1 January 1995. Finland reserved the right to grant degressive national subsidies as well as national aids to farmers during a transitional period until the problems from the small-scale structure of its agriculture are overcome.

In animal production, degressive national aids are paid on a per head basis to respect international agreements. It is not thought that payment of these aids has lead to lower quality in egg, broiler or pig production since the greater part of farmers' revenue still derives from the prices obtained. In the reform package of Agenda 2000(1) no direct subsidies are envisaged in the three sectors mentioned.

The Commission does not have any information about shortages of feed for hens in battery cages in finland. However, the Commission is concerned about this issue and will ask the Finnish authorities for information.

The minimum standards provided in the present legislation concerning laying hens in battery cages have to be met by every farmer, independent of subsidies. The national authorities monitor compliance with the rules and take action if there is any infringement.

The Commission has recently presented a proposal to the Council which lays down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens in various systems of rearing(2), including cages. The proposal is presently under discussion in the Council and has been sent to the Parliament for an opinion. The new requirements would, if adopted as proposed, apply to newly built or rebuilt systems from 1 January 1999 and from 1 January 2009 for all housing systems. This is a normal transition period. As a general rule under the new proposal hens should be housed in a system which allows nesting, dustbathing and perching. Member States may, however, authorise derogations from dustbathing and nesting in order to permit the use of battery cages, provided that the hens have a minimum area of 800 cm2 per hen. Concerning the food requirements it is proposed that all birds shall have access to adequate, nutritious and hygienic feed each day and to adequate fresh water at all times.

(1) COM(97) 2000 final.

(2) OJ C 123, 22.4.1998.