Question 3882 — animals

Summary

In France, there are currently four types of chicken farms intended for egg production. Although the majority of laying hens are still raised in cages, this type of production is less and less representative. Consumers who are aware of farming conditions and their impacts in terms of animal welfare are increasingly turning to eggs from other production methods (farming on the ground, in the open air or biological). Distributors are increasingly developing the share of eggs or processed products based on cage-free eggs. Since January 1, 2012, in accordance with Directive 1999/74/EC transposed by the ministerial decree of February 1, 2002 relating to the protection of laying hens, cages must meet minimum dimensions and be equipped with certain devices guaranteeing the satisfaction of their physiological needs and the expression of their natural behavior. The compliance of caged laying hen breeding establishments is controlled by the departmental directorates responsible for population protection. Societal expectations have led the egg production sector to reflect on the sustainability of its production methods. In 2016, the French egg inter-professional association developed a societal contract of the future in which it sets itself the objective of raising at least 1 in 2 hens outside of cages by 2022. This important change is intended to be extended in the medium term to a higher proportion of breeding operations. In addition, the sector is also committed to implementing new measures intended to improve animal welfare. More recently, as part of the general food conference (EGA), the President of the République wanted to initiate a structural reform of French agriculture in order to allow farmers to live with dignity from their work while integrating societal, health and environmental issues, factors of sustainability. He asked the inter-professions, including the egg sector, to develop sector plans to favorably guide their development and transformation. The laying hen sector has set itself 12 objectives to better meet consumer expectations and ensure the sustainability of the sector. Improving animal welfare is one of these objectives. To achieve this, the inter-professional organization is committed, among other things, to supporting research into evaluation methods and indicators of animal welfare, as well as alternative techniques to beak trimming. The objective of ensuring market self-sufficiency interior by meeting the needs of different outlets also implies progress in terms of animal welfare. Indeed, in addition to the commitment of more than half of laying hen farms to an alternative system for 2022, the sector has announced that it is aiming for an increase in eggs produced under official signs of quality and origin. More precisely, the organic farming or red label sectors, by definition of livestock excluding cages, would increase by 50% and 20% respectively by 2022. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food intends to support this transformation of French livestock farming towards a more sustainable agricultural model, economically competitive and respectful of the environment and animals. Thus, since 2016, the ministry has engaged in an ambitious action plan, developed in partnership with all stakeholders, professionals, veterinarians and animal protection associations in particular. This plan includes 20 concrete actions, structured around 5 main axes: research and innovation in animal welfare, the empowerment of all professionals, the evolution of breeding practices, the requirement for protection of animals when they are killed and the prevention of animal abuse. This action plan can be consulted at the following address: http://agriculture.gouv.fr/20-actions-prioritaires-en-faveur-du-bien-etre-animal. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food also has the role of monitoring the decisions taken during the EGA. The bill supported by the ministry thus provides for allowing animal protection associations to file civil suits on the basis of findings made during official controls as well as strengthening controls and sanctions.

Machine translation from French. The official text remains authoritative.

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