2012 Cage Free Deadline: An Egg that Won't Hatch?
EU - Plans to eliminate conventional cages in egg production throughout Europe ave been met with scepticism due to confusion over the proposals.
14 March 2008
2 minute read
The claims have been made by a recent straw poll, which says that many people in the industry have grave doubts that the proposals will be met in time.
* "There are not enough trained cage and house erectors, enough acknowledged experts in building enriched cage units" |
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Brian Handley, the UK agent of enriched cage manufacturer Valli.
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When he unveiled his department's report on the Laying Hens Directive earlier this year, health commissioner Markos Kyprianou said the 2012 deadline was being maintained because "there was no reason to postpone it." His message to the egg industries of Europe was uncompromising: "Start phasing out cages as soon as possible so that there is full compliance by 2012."
However, according to Farmers Weekly Interactive, a brief, non-scientific Poultry World straw poll of the UK industry carried out in the weeks after its publication shows much doubt. Replies indicated that Mr Kyprianou's aim would be difficult to achieve.
"It is not going to happen," said Brian Handley, the UK agent of enriched cage manufacturer Valli.
He outlined some of the reasons why. "There are not enough trained cage and house erectors, enough acknowledged experts in building enriched cage units - an area pioneered by Valli and Big Dutchman."
