Applies to
- Commercial layer farms in EU
- Non-EU layer operations exporting shell eggs or egg products to EU
Key requirements
- ▸Conventional (barren) cages prohibited since 2012
- ▸Enriched cages: minimum 750 cm²/hen usable area, nest, perch, litter and claw-shortening device
- ▸Alternative systems: perches, litter, nests, maximum stocking rules
- ▸Feed and water access requirements per hen
- ▸Inspection, record-keeping and registration under egg-marketing rules
How buyers cite this in procurement
Layer-house EPC specifications for EU-market operations must select equipment (enriched cage / aviary / floor systems) compliant with the directive and with off-taker cage-free commitments.
Frequently asked
Are enriched cages equivalent to cage-free?
No. Enriched cages are permitted under 1999/74/EC but many retailers and food-service buyers now require cage-free (aviary, barn, free-range or organic).