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Poultry, poultry products, eggs and egg products
Food and food services

Beak trim­ming for laying hens

  • Basic level

Beak trimming for laying hens

Eggs/egg products must come from farms where laying hens’ beaks are not treated, e.g. by trimming them.

Verification

Tenderer's declaration of compliance (yes/no).

Why and how to use the criteria?

In some countries certain behavioural problems occurring due to the conditions in which poultry flocks live may be reduced by procedures such as beak trimming. EU Council Directive 2007/43/EC prohibits the implementation of any surgical procedures on chickens for purposes other than health care or disease diagnosis, which damage or remove sensitive parts of their bodies, or alter their bone structure. EU member states may, however, still permit beak trimming in cases where all other possible measures to prevent problems with feather pecking and cannibalism have been taken. Finland, Sweden and Norway have banned beak trimming completely.

Criterion information

Created
22.1.2024
ID
605
Sustainability information
Animal welfare and health
Publisher
Motiva
Language versions
FI, SV, EN
Version
1

Criterion feedback