Furnished cage
Common to all approved cages within the EU is that they must be equipped with perches, nest boxes, dust baths and claw shortening devices. The occupancy density must not exceed nine laying hens per square meter of usable area.
Filter
| Download | Description | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information about origin - non-compound products | Core | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information Information about origin can be enlightening for contracting authorities, e.g. which environmental laws applied to the production. Traceability is a prerequisite for being able to track any product defects and ensuring that the product meets the correct quality requirements. Criterion text For non-compound products made of a single raw material, un-mixed or mixed with flavourings, additives or equivalent, written information must be provided upon request:
| ||||
| Information about origin compound products - milk and eggs | Advanced | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information Information on the origin of milk and eggs can be an informative aspect for procuring authorities with regard to the product, e.g., what environmental and animal protection laws that applied during the production. Criterion text For compound products with an egg and/or milk content above 20%, written information must be made available on request, specifying the country in which the raw material was produced and refined. | ||||
| Production form - furnished cage | Core | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information Research has shown that both furnished cages, where the hens are in smaller groups, and free-range systems, where the hens are in larger groups, satisfy established functional requirements and animal welfare regulations within the EU stipulating that animals should be treated well and protected from unnecessary suffering and disease. For the hen it is more important to be able to lay eggs in a nest box, sit on perches and sand bathe than to be housed in a specific system. Criterion text Whole eggs and egg products must be produced by hens that have had access to nest boxes, sand baths and perches. | ||||
| Antibiotics | Advanced | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information A high use of antibiotics risks increasing antibiotic resistance. Bacteria that have developed resistance to antibiotics constitute a growing international public health problem. The development of resistance is associated with the overuse of antibiotics and it is therefore important that antibiotics are not used for preventive purposes in livestock production. Criterion text Antibiotics must only be used when prescribed by a veterinarian and when doing so is medically justified. Documented routines for antibiotics use must exist at production level and be available on request. | ||||
| More sustainably produced soy in animal feed | Core | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information The cultivation of soy can entail large environmental risks due to the high use of pesticides, soil erosion, along with the risk for land use change and deforestation in species-rich forest and grassland areas. Contracting organisations can specify requirements that improve the prerequisites for a transition to a more sustainable production of soy. Criterion text Animal-based foods shall come from animals where the soy1, if included in the feed, is produced in such a way that, at a minimum, it covers the following:
It is adequate that the documentation of the traceability of the soy can be shown through a segregated supply chain (Identity Preserved or Segregated), or through the principle of mass balance, or through the principle for credits (Credits/Book and Claim). | ||||
| No synthetic colouring in feed | Core | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information Synthetic colouring, e.g. canthaxanthin (so-called R-phrases), used in feed for laying hens give the egg a brightly coloured yolk but do not improve the quality of the feed for the animal. Synthetic colouring can increase the risk of developing allergies in children. Criterion text Egg products must come from laying hens that have not received feed containing synthetic colouring. | ||||
| No beak trimming of laying hens | Core | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information Beak trimming of laying hens is implemented in many countries. This means that a portion of the upper and the lower mandible is burned or radiated away with infrared light when the chicken is 1-2 days old. Criterion text Egg products must come from animals whose beak has not modified during breeding, such as through trimming. This requirement also applies to the parent generation. | ||||
| Health reporting system | Spearhead | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information Healthy animals are an important aspect of animal welfare. Moreover, it is an important aspect for climate impact as healthy animals also produce more efficiently. A low mortality rate in production is a significant indicator. Criterion text Eggs must come from a producer that works in accordance with a health reporting system with health parameters for animal welfare. Parameters are to be monitored in a systematic way, causes must be analysed, deviations must be documented and result in appropriate action in consultation with a veterinarian or production advisor to remedy the problems. The health reporting system must at least include the following:
| ||||
Common to all approved cages within the EU is that they must be equipped with perches, nest boxes, dust baths and claw shortening devices. The occupancy density must not exceed nine laying hens per square meter of usable area.
The advantages of furnished cages is that the flock size is limited, which means that the ranking can be maintained and the risk of problems with feather pecking and general pecking is limited to fewer individuals. The animals do not come into contact with their own manure which is favourable for hygiene and reduces the risk of problems with coccidiosis and intestinal parasites such as roundworms. Dust and ammonia in the pen air can be kept at a low level, which is favourable for both the hens' environment and the staff's working environment. Furnished cages allow for more efficient feeding which reduces feed consumption and thus environmental impact.
Battery cages were banned in Sweden in 2004, when the last exemptions expired. This ban has applied throughout the EU since January 2012. However, deficiencies in compliance with the implementation require monitoring.
Whole eggs and compound products with an egg content exceeding 20%.
- Whole fresh shell eggs, e.g., eggs in cartons sized S, M, L and XL.
- Cooked peeled eggs, e.g., vacuum-packed.
- Liquid egg products, e.g., egg yolk, egg white, whole eggs and scrambled eggs.
- Semi-finished products, e.g., pancakes.
- Egg powder.