Quote:
Originally Posted by Cobbydaler
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I suspect it relates to this:
Quote:
European Union
In 1999, the European Union Council Directive 1999/74/EC[7] banned the conventional battery cage in the EU from 2012, after a 10-year phase-out. In their 1996 report, the European Commission's Scientific Veterinary Committee (SVC) condemned the battery cage, concluding:
"It is clear that because of its small size and its barrenness, the battery cage as used at present has inherent severe disadvantages for the welfare of hens".
The EU Directive allows enriched or "furnished" cages to be used. Under the directive, enriched cages must be at least 45 cm high and must provide each hen with at least 750 cm² of space; 600 cm² of this must be "usable area" – the other 150 cm² is for a nest-box. The cage must also contain litter, perches and "claw-shortening devices". Some animal welfare organisations, such as Compassion in World Farming, have criticised this move, calling for enriched cages to be prohibited as they believe they provide no significant or worthwhile welfare benefits as compared with conventional battery cages. The use of battery cages is banned in Belgium, Austria, Sweden and the Netherlands.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery...European_Union
So there's been a 10 year phase out, and some farmers still get 'caught out'. Kudos (not) to the Beeb for telling the whole story. I guess 'chickens being rescued' makes better news than 'moron farmers ignore 10 year notice period' in the runup to Christmas.