UK publishes beak trimming regulations

The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has published a document on poultry beak trimming subsequent to the adoption of welfare regulations, effective Jan. 1. 
For general purposes, chicks can be trimmed before ten days of age using infrared equipment providing that not more than one-third of the beak is removed. Under exceptional conditions, such as when outbreaks of pecking and cannibalism occur, flocks can be beak-trimmed “as a last resort.”
The details of the regulatinos can be accessed here.

Reports suggest some caged EU hens will remain Jan. 2012

Recent reports suggest up to a third of EU hens will still be in cages at the Jan. 1, 2012, deadline for transition to colony housing or floor systems.
Providing non-compliant producers with an extension could be considered unfair to those who have made investments and would possibly operate at a financial disadvantage. Banning the sale of cage-derived eggs would represent hardship for consumers who would be obliged to pay more for eggs due to reduced supply. Even if eggs were imported to supply demand, in all probability, product would be derived from caged-housed hens, which would be inconsistent with the intended improvement in welfare.

Days of a dozen eggs numbered?

European Union proposals that would introduce an EU-wide system for selling groceries by weight rather than by number, could see the retail sale of boxes of eggs banned.
Although an amendment to the proposals allowing individual states to nominate products that could be sold by number rather than by weight was tabled, it was subsequently rejected.
Retail industry publication The Grocer, has described the move as "bonkers", and retailers are concerned that the suggested changes would cost the sector dearly, as items would have to be individually weighed to ensure accuracy on lables.
The new rules remain in draft form and, with reference to eggs, failure to exempt them has been described as an oversight by some commentators. Others, however, have been less understanding saying the changes would be "no yolk."

EU threatens court action over missing permits

Spain, Greece and Portugal are in the firing line over permits for their larger producers of poultry and pigs, says a market note from BPEX in the U.K.
The European Commission intends to take legal action against nine Member States over missing IPPC permits. These documents are required of larger enterprises relating to protection against environmental pollution. The three countries mentioned head a list of member states in which permits are still outstanding for a number of installations that qualify for IPPC.

RSPCA eases restrictions on free-range eggs

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is doubling the allowed density of birds from 1,000 per hectare to 2,000, as demand for free-range eggs continues to grow.
With the increased hens come regulations to increase shelter and other provisions needed for the birds’ welfare. This remains a tighter standard than those in the EU.
Demand for free-range eggs has soared, due to public campaigns and celebrities endorsing the product.
If the demand cannot be met, overseas eggs produced under lower welfare standards would potentially be imported.

UK plans new poultry welfare rules

Plans to implement Europe's first comprehensive welfare rules on chickens raised for meat were released for consultation by Farming Minister Jane Kennedy.
The EU rules focus on the overall welfare of birds, as well as the individual factors that contribute to welfare, and include the monitoring of birds at slaughterhouses so that signs of poor welfare can be raised with both producers and agencies responsible for animal welfare and food safety.
The rules also include new limits for ammonia and carbon dioxide and standards for temperature, humidity and maximum stocking density, as well as clear requirements for industry training.
"These new EU rules are a welcome improvement on the limited conditions previously applied to the welfare of chickens raised for meat,” said Kennedy. “From now on, we will be looking at what really matters, which is the overall welfare of the bird, itself. "The fact is that many factors contribute to high welfare standards, and that's what we're focusing on - better standards for all birds across Europe. For most English producers, the new requirements simply build on systems that are already in place and working well," Kennedy said.
The new EU rules, due to come into force in June 2010, cover all chicken meat production holdings with more than 500 birds. They do not apply to holdings with only breeding stocks of meat chickens, hatcheries, extensive indoor, free range or organic chickens.The proposals have been released for consultation, with the closing date for responses April 20, 2009.