08/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - The Court of Justice of the European Communities has ruled that member states can impose more demanding standards for the transport of animals than those contained in European Council directive 91/628/EEC (case C-491/06). For example, Danish law states that, for a pig weighing 230 kg, the cage must have a height of at least 112 cm, while the European directive merely requires that animals be able to stand up in their natural position. According to Danish pig producers association Danske Svineproducenter, these stricter standards are more costly than those of Poland or Germany and, thus, put Danish producers at a competitive disadvantage. The Court, however, says that the Danish regulations merely use the margin for discretion enjoyed by member states. The Danish court which is hearing the case will have to ensure, however, that Danish regulations do not hinder international trade. (C.D.)