The OIE wants to achieve this by introducing “should be provided” into clauses 7.Z.12 and 7.Z.13 to make perches and nest boxes mandatory. The OIE draft standard therefore excludes 87-89 percent of the global laying hen population that is currently housed in conventional cage systems. If this wording was adopted as the final OIE standard it would not be legally binding, however, all country members of the OIE have agreed in principle to translate OIE standards into domestic law.

The International Egg Commission (IEC) is "urging" concerned parties to contact their Chief Veterinary Officer or OIE Country Delegate to request an urgent meeting.

"It is important to convince them now, during early December to oppose this draft standard. Your Chief Veterinary Officer or OIE Country Delegate needs to formally write to the OIE (by way of comment on the draft standard) to be received before the end of December 2018," said the IEC in a press release.

If you do not know your country’s Chief Veterinary Officer or OIE Country Delegate you can find them here.

The IEC asks that contact with egg association leaders be made to encourage resistance to the exclusion.

Role of the IEC Office

The IEC Office is playing a co-ordinating and communications role and will independently submit a scientific response opposing this move.

The IEC has materials ready and available for concerned associations to oppose this change, including scientific justifications and a template letter which may be used by Chief Veterinary Officers or OIE Country Delegates.

Chief Veterinary Officer or OIE Country Delegate should be encouraged to write to the OIE by Monday 10th December 2018, said the IEC, to ensure that conventional egg laying cages are included in the OIE Standard.