The European Commission is planning, by means of a delegated regulation, to increase from 12 to 26 weeks the length of time hens may be kept inside beyond which their eggs may no longer be classified as “free-range” (see EUROPE 11723).
The proposal is described by Copa and Cogeca, the EU farming and agri-cooperative organisations, as a move in the wrong direction. They point out that, in 2016-2017, according to estimates, 80% of free-range hens in the EU had to be housed indoors for more...