Next Ag Council to Discuss Postponing Layer Cage Ban

EU - Animal welfare is on the agenda for the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels on 22 February. It is reported that Poland has requested the ban on battery cages for laying hens to be postponed until 2017.
calendar icon 17 February 2010
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On the agenda for the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 22 February is the exchange of views on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy as regards market management measures in the years after 2013. The presidency will present a paper on this issue.

Another exchange of views will be dedicated to a Commission report entitled 'Options for animal welfare labelling and the establishment of a European Network of Reference Centres for the protection and welfare of animals' (15307/09). Based on a presidency questionnaire (5751/10), ministers will discuss how to improve consumer information on animal welfare.

Furthermore, ministers are expected to examine a request by the Italian government (16618/09) to authorise Italy to grant state aid for the purchase of agricultural land between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2013.

According to the welfare campaigning organisation, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the EU Agricultural Council will also discuss a proposed delay to the EU-wide 2012 battery cage ban. Poland is seeking to postpone the ban until 2017. PETA is urging Jim Fitzpatrick, Defra Minister of State (who is responsible animal welfare), to oppose Poland's proposal.

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