The Netherlands is one of 10 EU member states given two months by Brussels to implement new animal welfare rules for battery hens.

Under new EU rules which came into effect at the beginning of this year, all laying hens must be kept in ‘enriched cages’, meaning they are given extra space to nest, scratch and roost. This will allow hens ‘to satisfy their biological and behavioural needs’, the commission said in a statement.
Brussels says compliance by all member states is essential to ‘avoid market distortions and unfair competition.’ The new measures were drawn up in 2001, meaning members states have had 12 years to prepare for the changes.
Countries which don’t improve the conditions for battery chickens may face legal action.