Decision 2004/433/EC

Contents

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,Having regard to the Treaty of Accession of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia, and in particular Article 2 (3) thereof,Having regard to the Act of Accession of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia, and in particular Article 42 thereofWhereas:

(1)From 1 May 2004 the keeping of laying hens in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia (“the New Member States”) has to comply with the minimum standards for the protection of laying hens set out in Council Directive 1999/74/EC of 19 July 1999 laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens.^note

(2)Article 5(1)(4) of Directive 1999/74/EC specifies the minimum height required for unenriched cages. For five new Member States specific derogations from that requirement have already been laid down in the 2003 Act of Accession for certain establishments listed in the Appendices thereto.

(3)Derogations from that requirement should also be granted for Latvia in order to facilitate the transition to welfare standards for the keeping of laying hens resulting from the application of the Directive 1999/74/EC.

(4)In order to avoid distortions of competition interfering with the smooth running of the organisation of the market in animal products, it is appropriate to exclude eggs produced in cages benefiting from the derogation from intra-Community trade.

(5)The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health.

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

History · 1 version

Key facts

Connections