EuroTier Poultry Forum examines European cage ban one year on

The impact of the switch out of conventional cages in the European Union was amongst the topics discussed at the Poultry Forum, held as part of EuroTier 2012. Despite not all the countries meeting the January 1 deadline, and significant declines in some European Member States, the European Commission forecasts that European egg production will be higher in 2013.
2012 will end with total European egg production slightly lower, largely as a result of the switch out of conventional cages but also, to a lesser degree, as a result of a decline in per-capita consumption. However, the region remains self-sufficient in eggs, and the often-predicted collapse in the industry has not occurred.
Yet the changeover has not been without its problems. As recently as 2010, 45.5 percent of the region’s layers were still housed in conventional cages. Many countries failed to meet the January 2012 deadline for full compliance, resulting in the European Commission issuing proceedings against 10 member states.
This was enough to spur most into action and, by mid-year, all but three countries were compliant. Yet, in this last-minute dash to comply some countries saw their output decline significantly. Spain, for example, is expected to end the year producing 15 percent fewer eggs.
Greece, Cyprus and Italy have yet to comply with the cage ban, according to the most recent European Commission documents. While the number of layers kept in conventional cages has declined in Italy over recent years, at mid-year, some 17 million birds were still housed this way.
Compliant ahead of deadline, Germany saw a decline in egg production in 2009 and 2010, while in 2011 and 2012 there was a recovery. A slight increase in output is forecast for 2013.
This variation in compliance has caused some to be upset with producers who have complied and so, while not legally binding, a gentleman’s agreement has been adopted by Europe’s Member States under which eggs from non-compliant farms can only be used for processing, and only in the country where they were produced. This has, however, resulted in some distortion of trade.
Despite these difficulties, the European egg market is expected to be well supplied in 2013. 

Germany feels impact of cage ban

Just as British egg producers are preparing for new cage legislation in advance of an EU-wide ban in 2012, Klaus Torborg of Lohmann Animal Health addressed leading UK producers in Shropshire and spoke about Germany’s experience.
According to Torborg, the German industry delayed converting its systems. As a result, many producers have been forced out of production. The number of layers dropped from 40 million to around 33 million, and self-sufficiency in eggs fell from 70% to 55%. Imports have flooded in from other countries, particularly Holland, which has been quicker to convert its systems.
Torborg said Germany was over-eager in complying with EU policy and required enriched cages to be installed three years before it became necessary under EU law. But when the government changed to a conservative administration this was not repealed, so the efforts of producers who had installed enriched cages were not rewarded. Their eggs were labeled as "Class 3," the same as those from standard cages, he explained.
Another big influence on the industry has been discount supermarkets such as Aldi, Lidl and Netto. The discounters now account for about 47% of all eggs sold in Germany and, for marketing/animal welfare reasons, will not sell eggs from enriched cages. Most egg producers, despite high investment in enriched cages, will have to convert to the barn system, he said.
Cage houses converted to the barn system hold far fewer birds due to lower stocking density, so many producers are additionally faced with putting up new buildings if they wish to maintain their hen numbers.