Protection of animals: laying hens in systems of rearing (repl. direct. 88/166/EEC). Communication included

PURPOSE : to lay down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens. COMMUNITY MEASURE : Council Directive 1999/74/EC. CONTENT : the Directive establishes minimum standards for the protection of laying hens. It introduces general requirements applicable to all systems of rearing, including nests, perches, litters. Derogations to these last requirements are provided for cages that must satisfy improved specifications. A transitional period is fixed for the new requirements so as to allow the phasing out over a period of 10 years of the existing systems. A system of inspection and the presentation of reports by the competent authority are provided for, as well as inspections by the Commission. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 03/08/1999 TRANSPOSITION IN THE MEMBER STATES: 01/01/2002.�