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The welfare of laying hens directive - implications for the egg industry

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee warn of a potential commercial disaster over animal welfare regulations that could result in unfair competition for UK egg producers. New rules are designed to improve conditions for caged ('battery') hens. The Welfare of Laying Hens Directive (Council Directive 1999/74/EC), which applies to businesses with over 350 laying hens, provides that conventional cage systems must not be used after 1 January 2012. After this date, caged hens must be kept in 'enriched' cages, which have more living space per hen (750 cm2 cage area per hen compared to 550 cm2 in conventional cages - less than an A4 sheet of paper), a nest, perching space, litter to allow pecking and scratching, and unrestricted access to a feed trough. But around one third of Europe's egg production will not comply with the new welfare standards by 2012. UK egg producers have spent around £400 million to improve conditions for laying hens, and will be left at a competitive disadvantage if cheaper, illegal and non-compliant shell eggs and egg products can be imported to the UK from other European countries. The UK Government must press for an intra-community trade ban on the export of non-compliant eggs and egg products, and the EU Commission should initiate infraction proceedings against Member States where caged egg producers remain non-compliant. Failure to enforce this new Directive effectively will set a worrying precedent for other legislation intended to improve the welfare of farm animals.

CliffsNotes on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. In CliffsNotes on Twelfth Night, you follow several separate groups of characters whose stories are flawlessly woven together to produce one of Shakespeare's lightest, most popular, and most musical comedies—full of intricate plots and subplots and witty banter that only Shakespeare could write. Summaries and commentaries take you through Shakespeare's masterpiece, and character analyses of such memorable characters as Viola, Olivia, and Duke Orsino clue you in on their motivations. You also get these additional features: A section on the life and background of William Shakespeare A review section that tests your knowledge A selected bibliography Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

History of the Great Secession from the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Year 1845