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 than 12 weeks to protect them from the bird flu virus. The result was a steep drop in income for producers who were no longer able to market their eggs as free-range.
Copa and Cogeca believe, however, that the derogation envisaged could be extended to 20 weeks since, in some member states, the time the birds had to be kept inside exceeded 16 weeks.
The organisations say that the draft regulation has sufficient support among the member states and consensus could not be achieved on any other proposal. The European Parliament and the Council have two months to assess and consider it, ahead of its coming into force in December after publication in the Official Journal of the EU. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)