Minimum requirements for systems of production for the various egg farming methods referred to in Article 11(3)
ANNEX IISupplementary provisions
ANNEX II Minimum requirements for systems of production for the various egg farming methods referred to in Article 11(3) 1. ‘Free-range eggs’ must be produced in systems of production which satisfy at least the conditions laid down in Article 4 of Directive 1999/74/EC. In particular, the following conditions must be satisfied: (a) hens must have continuous daytime access to open-air runs. However, this requirement does not prevent a producer from restricting access for a limited period of time in the morning hours in accordance with usual good farming practice, including good animal husbandry practice. Where temporary restrictions have been imposed on the basis of Union legislation, eggs may be marketed as ‘free-range’ notwithstanding that restriction; (b) open-air runs to which hens have access must be mainly covered with vegetation and not be used for other purposes except for orchards, woodland and livestock grazing. The competent authorities may authorise the use of open-air runs for other purposes, in particular the installation of solar panels, that are not conflicting with the animal welfare conditions as laid down in Directive 1999/74/EC and do not limit the mobility of the hens; (c) the maximum stocking density of open-air runs must not be greater than 2 500 hens per hectare of ground available to the hens or one hen per 4 m 2 at all times. However, where at least 10 m 2 per hen is available and where rotation is practised and hens are given even access to the whole area over the flock’s life, each paddock used must at any time assure at least 2,5 m 2 per hen; (d) open-air runs must not extend beyond a radius of 150 m from the nearest pophole of the building. However, an extension of up to 350 m from the nearest pophole of the building is permissible provided that a sufficient number of shelters as referred to in Article 4(1), point 3(b)(ii), of Directive 1999/74/EC are evenly distributed throughout the whole open-air run with at least four shelters per hectare. 2. ‘Barn eggs’ must be produced in systems of production which satisfy at least the conditions laid down in Article 4 of Directive 1999/74/EC. 3. Eggs from ‘enriched cages’ must be produced in systems of production which satisfy at least the conditions laid down in Article 6 of Directive 1999/74/EC. 4. Member States may authorise derogations from points 1 and 2 of this Annex for establishments with fewer than 350 laying hens or rearing breeding laying hens as regards the obligations referred to in Article 4(1), point 1(d), point 1(e), point 2, point 3(a)(i) and point 3(b)(i), of Directive 1999/74/EC.