WRITTEN QUESTION E-2208/03 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Labelling of free-range produce.
Date: 2003-07-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: egg, marketing standard, poultry farming

13.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 65 E/115

As the Honourable Member undoubtedly knows, European agriculture is based on a multi-functional
3.
model aimed in particular at the development of the primary sector with due respect for sustainable
development, animal welfare and the integrated development of the rural environment in its entirety. In
this connection, actions such as leisure activities, tourism and the creation of natural areas as referred to by
the Honourable Member are planned under this model.

Finally, it should be noted that a conference on rural development in the run-up to a 25-member EU will
be held in Salszburg (Austria) on 13/14 November 2003 and will undoubtedly provide fuel for the debate.

(2004/C 65 E/128)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2208/03

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(2 July 2003)

Subject: Labelling of ‘free-range’ produce

Can the Commission indicate what minimum conditions must apply before eggs can be labelled ‘free
range’?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(1 August 2003)

Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1274/91 of 15 May 1991 introducing detailed rules for implementing
Council Regulation (EEC) No 1907/90 on certain marketing standards for eggs (1) lays down the criteria to
be respected in the case of eggs to be labelled as ‘free range’.

The Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1274/91 reads like this:

Minimum requirements to be met by poultry establishments for the various egg farming methods:

(a)

‘Free range eggs’ must be produced in poultry establishments which satisfy at least the conditions
specified in Article 4 of Directive 1999/74/EC with effect from the dates referred to in that Article
and in which:

(cid:1) hens have continuous daytime access to open-air runs, except in the case of temporary

restrictions imposed by veterinary authorities;

(cid:1) the open-air runs to which hens have access is mainly covered with vegetation and not used
for other purposes except for orchards, woodland and livestock grazing if the latter is
authorised by the competent authorities;

(cid:1) the open-air runs must at least satisfy the conditions specified in Article 4(1)(3)b)(ii) of
Council Directive 1999/74/EC whereby the maximum stocking density is not greater than
2500 hens per hectare of ground available to the hens or one hen per 4 m2 at all times;
however, where at least 10 m2 per hen are available and where rotation is practiced and hens
are given even access to the whole area over the flock’s life, each paddock used must at any
time assure at least 2,5 m2 per hen;

(cid:1) the open-air runs are not extending beyond a radius of 150 m from the nearest pophole of
the building; however an extension of up to 350 m from the nearest pophole of the building
is permissible provided that a sufficient number of shelters and drinking troughs within the
meaning of that provision are evenly distributed throughout the whole open-air run with at
least four shelter per hectare.

(1) OJ L 121, 16.5.1991.