Brussels, 25/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 24 November, the European Commission asked Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Finland and the United Kingdom to submit to it national transposition measures as required by the Animal Welfare Directive. The request takes the form of a “reasoned opinion”, the second stage of the infringement procedure. If no satisfactory response is received within two months, the Commission may decide to refer these member states to the European Court of Justice.
Directive 2007/43/EC establishes rules at EU level for the protection of chickens kept for meat production. Member states' competent authorities are required to conduct inspections to verify compliance with the requirements of the directive and put in place appropriate procedures to determine stocking density. Member states are also encouraged to develop guides to good management practice and are required to lay down rules on penalties for non-compliance with national provisions adopted to apply this directive. Penalties have to be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. Member states were supposed to have implemented Directive 2007/43/EC by June 30, 2010, but Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Finland and the United Kingdom have failed to do so. (L.C./transl.rt)