1.Member States shall ensure that from 1 January 2003 all cage systems referred to in this chapter comply at least with the following requirements:
at least 550 cm2 per hen of cage area, measured in a horizontal plane, which may be used without restriction, in particular not including non-waste deflection plates liable to restrict the area available, must be provided for each laying hen;
a feed trough which may be used without restriction must be provided. Its length must be at least 10 cm multiplied by the number of hens in the cage;
unless nipple drinkers or drinking cups are provided, each cage must have a continuous drinking channel of the same length as the feed trough mentioned in point 2. Where drinking points are plumbed in, at least two nipple drinkers or two cups must be within reach of each cage;
cages must be at least 40 cm high over at least 65 % of the cage area and not less than 35 cm at any point;
floors of cages must be constructed so as to support adequately each of the forward-facing claws of each foot. Floor slope must not exceed 14 % or 8 %. In the case of floors using other than rectangular wire mesh, Member States may permit steeper slopes;
cages shall be fitted with suitable claw-shortening devices.
2.Member States shall ensure that rearing in the cages referred to in this chapter is prohibited with effect from 1 January 2012. In addition, with effect from 1 January 2003 no cages such as referred to in this chapter may be built or brought into service for the first time.
[F13. By way of derogation from paragraph 2, in Mayotte as an outermost region within the meaning of Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (hereinafter ‘ Mayotte ’ ), laying hens may continue to be reared in cages as referred to in this Chapter until 31 December 2017 .
From 1 January 2014 , no cages as referred to in this Chapter may be built or brought into service for the first time in Mayotte.
Eggs derived from establishments rearing laying hens in cages as referred to in this Chapter shall only be placed on the local market of Mayotte. Those eggs and their packs shall be clearly identified with a special mark, so as to allow the necessary controls. A clear description of this special mark shall be communicated to the Commission by 1 January 2014 .]
Textual Amendments
F1 Inserted by Council Directive 2013/64/EU of 17 December 2013 amending Council Directives 91/271/EEC and 1999/74/EC, and Directives 2000/60/EC, 2006/7/EC, 2006/25/EC and 2011/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, following the amendment of the status of Mayotte with regard to the European Union.