- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As adopted by EU)
Council Directive 1999/74/ECShow full title
Council Directive 1999/74/EC of 19 July 1999 laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens
You are here:
What Version
Advanced Features
- Show Geographical Extent(e.g. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)
- Show Timeline of Changes
More Resources
Revised version PDFs
- Revised 14/12/20190.20 MB
- Revised 01/01/20140.62 MB
- Revised 05/06/20030.05 MB
This is a Directive originating from the EU
This is a legislation item that originated from the EU
After exit day there will be three versions of this legislation to consult for different purposes. The legislation.gov.uk version is the version that applies in the UK. The EU Version currently on EUR-lex is the version that currently applies in the EU i.e you may need this if you operate a business in the EU.
The web archive version is the official version of this legislation item as it stood on exit day before being published to legislation.gov.uk and any subsequent UK changes and effects applied. The web archive also captured associated case law and other language formats from EUR-Lex.
Changes over time for: Article 4
Status:
EU Directives are being published on this site to aid cross referencing from UK legislation. After IP completion day (31 December 2020 11pm) no further amendments will be applied to this version.
Article 4U.K.
1.Member States shall ensure that from 1 January 2002 all newly built or rebuilt systems of production referred to in this chapter and all such systems of production brought into use for the first time comply at least with the requirements below.
1.
All systems must be equipped in such a way that all laying hens have:
(a)
either linear feeders providing at least 10 cm per bird or circular feeders providing at least 4 cm per bird;
(b)
either continuous drinking troughs providing 2,5 cm per hen or circular drinking troughs providing 1 cm per hen.
In addition, where nipple drinkers or cups are used, there shall be at least one nipple drinker or cup for every 10 hens. Where drinking points are plumbed in, at least two cups or two nipple drinkers shall be within reach of each hen;
(c)
at least one nest for every seven hens. If group nests are used, there must be at least 1 m2 of nest space for a maximum of 120 hens;
(d)
adequate perches, without sharp edges and providing at least 15 cm per hen. Perches must not be mounted above the litter and the horizontal distance between perches must be at least 30 cm and the horizontal distance between the perch and the wall must be at least 20 cm;
(e)
at least 250 cm2 of littered area per hen, the litter occupying at least one third of the ground surface.
2.
The floors of installations must be constructed so as to support adequately each of the forward-facing claws of each foot.
3.
In addition to the provisions laid down in points 1 and 2,
(a)
if systems of rearing are used where the laying hens can move freely between different levels,
(i)
there shall be no more than four levels;
(ii)
the headroom between the levels must be at least 45 cm;
(iii)
the drinking and feeding facilities must be distributed in such a way as to provide equal access for all hens;
(iv)
the levels must be so arranged as to prevent droppings falling on the levels below.
(b)
If laying hens have access to open runs:
(i)
there must be several popholes giving direct access to the outer area, at least 35 cm high and 40 cm wide and extending along the entire length of the building; in any case, a total opening of 2 m must be available per group of 1 000 hens;
(ii)
open runs must be:
of an area appropriate to the stocking density and to the nature of the ground, in order to prevent any contamination;
equipped with shelter from inclement weather and predators and, if necessary, appropriate drinking troughs.
4.
The stocking density must not exceed nine laying hens per m2 usable area.
However, where the usable area corresponds to the available ground surface, Member States may, until 31 December 2011, authorise a stocking density of 12 hens per m2 of available area for those establishments applying this system on 3 August 1999.
2.Member States shall ensure that the minimum requirements laid down in paragraph 1 apply to all alternative systems from 1 January 2007.
Options/Help
Print Options
PrintThe Whole Directive
PrintThe Whole Chapter
PrintThis Article only
Legislation is available in different versions:
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As adopted by EU): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was first adopted in the EU. No changes have been applied to the text.
See additional information alongside the content
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Opening Options
Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once
More Resources
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as adopted version that was used for the EU Official Journal
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- all formats of all associated documents
- correction slips
- links to related legislation and further information resources
Timeline of Changes
This timeline shows the different versions taken from EUR-Lex before exit day and during the implementation period as well as any subsequent versions created after the implementation period as a result of changes made by UK legislation.
The dates for the EU versions are taken from the document dates on EUR-Lex and may not always coincide with when the changes came into force for the document.
For any versions created after the implementation period as a result of changes made by UK legislation the date will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. For further information see our guide to revised legislation on Understanding Legislation.
More Resources
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
- the original print PDF of the as adopted version that was used for the print copy
- correction slips
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:
- lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
- confers power and blanket amendment details
- all formats of all associated documents
- links to related legislation and further information resources
All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. This site additionally contains content derived from EUR-Lex, reused under the terms of the Commission Decision 2011/833/EU on the reuse of documents from the EU institutions. For more information see the EUR-Lex public statement on re-use.