Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if Ireland is on course to abolish conventional battery farming of hens as directed by the European Commission through directive 1999/74/EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24268/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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An EU ban on conventional battery cages is due to enter into force with effect from 1 January 2012, in line with Directive 1999/74/EC on minimum standards for laying hens. My Department is working with laying hen producers and the poultry industry to ensure that the 1 January deadline is adhered to and that the phasing out of conventional systems to other systems will be as smooth as possible. A Poultry Welfare Scheme to assist producers in complying with the requirements of the Directive is currently in operation. The scheme provides a total of €16 million to producers to assist in the conversion to enriched cages, free range or barn systems.