Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if all the provisions of the EU Hen Directive, Council Directive 1999/74/EC of 19 July 1999, which stipulated better welfare conditions for battery hens, have been implemented here; his views regarding the importation of eggs form other EU countries which have not implemented the directive fully; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26766/11]

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 Council Directive 1999/74/EC on minimum standards for laying hens. Sanctions for non-compliance with the Council Directive are set out in national legislation, namely the European Communities (Welfare of Farm Animals) Regulation 2010 (Statutory Instrument No. 311 of 2010). 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 support this process was introduced which provides a total of €16 million to producers to assist in the conversion to enriched cages, free range or barn systems. My Department will continue to monitor the marketing of all eggs from 1st January 2012 to ensure that they comply with all the relevant legislation.