Introducing processing and export of layer hens to the Palestinian Territories Currently, between 6,000,000 and 7,500,000 off laying hens are being freed on the streets, burnt or dumped in holes in the ground annually in the Palestinian Territories and Israel. The partners have the intention to create value from off laying hens by establishing the first slaughterhouse for layer hens in the Palestinian Territories and export the frozen meat to Africa and Asia. The applicant, the Israeli company Natshe Li El Doyagen Ltd. is specialised in slaughtering broilers and selling all types of meat to consumers in Jerusalem. The local partner, World Classic Company is an exporter of frozen chicken feet for retailers in Africa. M.S.H. Ltd, an Israeli consulting company, will assist the consortium in the international logistics and the marketing and sales in Africa and Asia.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The joint venture will develop a CSR plan, including recruitment system, pay scales, annual increments, annual leave and a pension fund for employees. The wages will be at least 20% above the minimum wage.Each staff member will be trained on health and safety at work and protective clothing will be issued for staff working in the production departments.HACCP, ISO 9001 and Halal certification will be acquired during the project.Part of the action plan is the conversion of ten egg farms from battery systems to non-cage production systems such as free range egg farming. There are no free range eggs farms in the Palestinian Territories. There is a clear demand and currently free range eggs are being imported from Israel or families have a few chickens for their own use. In Israel, the price of a free range egg is 30% higher than a laying hen egg. Therefore, both companies believe that there will be enough farmers interested in the conversion. Costs for the conversion of the farms have to be obtained from commercial banks or other investors, with assistance from the joint venture.Included in the project is cooperation with the Palestinian Veterinary Service. The training of the Veterinary Service is on request by the Veterinary Service itself. The Veterinary Service will use the lab located in the factory of the joint venture as a training service, it will be managed by the Veterinary Service as well. This will be an added value for the joint venture as the results from tests done by the veterinary service will be available earlier.A contract for waste removal of the slaughter house will be obtained (17% of the inputs to the production process). The waste disposal company composes its waste into biogas.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsSalaries are at least 20% above the minimum wage. The employees will receive an extensive training programme, including security and safety training. Staff members will be paid for overtime and have the right of collective bargaining. Pension scheme and health insurance for all staff members.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeProduct: it is a new product as spent laying hens are currently seen as a waste product in the OPT. There is no slaughterhouse of laying hens in the OPT, as well as Israel.•	Chain effectsThe first source of layer hens is the Palestinian Territories: approximately 50 Palestinian layer farmers – 1,176,000 spent layer hens annually; the rest of the hens will be acquired from Israel. The farmers will earn 0.30 euro  to 0.40 euro per hen (depending on the size of the hen).The joint venture will assist the main suppliers in improving the veterinary health and hygiene situation at the farms.•	Impact on the sectorPositive impact for the Palestinian Veterinary service. Five inspectors from the Veterinary Service will be trained in a lab located in the factory of the joint venture (on request of the veterinary service). The Veterinary Service will manage by the lab. This will be an added value for the joint venture as well as the results from tests done by the veterinary service will be available earlier.•	EnvironmentThe project will address health, safety and environmental problems as less hens will be dumped and buried in holes under the ground.•	Position of womenSix women will be employed on medium/high positions.•	Impact on food safetyThere is no impact on food safety, as all hens will be exported. The aim of the project is to develop a slaughterhouse for spent laying hens, with the full capacity of processing 1,512,000 per annum (78% of the maximum capacity by the end of the PSI project). At the end of the project 762 tons (whole chickens) for the