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.
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| Download | Description | |||
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| 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 - chickens, turkeys and hens | Core | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information Beak trimming involves changing part of the beak to prevent feather pecking and cannibalism. Feather pecking and cannibalism occur to a lesser extent in a good stable environment in which stress is alleviated. Hence not permitting beak trimming is a relevant animal welfare criterion. Criterion text Chicken and hen raw material shall come from animals whose beaks have not been changed during rearing by means of beak trimming, for example. This also applies to the parental generation. Turkey raw material shall come from animals whose beaks have not been changed during rearing by means of beak trimming, for example. | ||||
| Information about the origin of the raw material - egg and milk | Core | Technical specification | ||
Criterion information Transparency and traceability in the food chain are important in order to be able to check sustainability parameters in the supply chain. By requiring that information about the origin of the raw-material is to be available and controllable, the procuring organization assures that traceability in the food chain is possible. Criterion text For products made from eggs and/or milk, information must be provided about the country of origin of the raw material, and it must be available to check when a tender is submitted. This information must also be made available or provided on request throughout the term of the contract.The information must include:
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| Responsible use of antibiotics - Chickens, turkeys and hens | Core | Special contract terms | ||
Criterion information Requiring responsible use of antibiotics can help ensure that antibiotics are only used when necessary for animal health. High use of antibiotics in the production of animal products is associated with increased development of resistance to antibiotics, posing a threat to global public health. High antibiotic use also presents a challenge in terms of sustainability. Criterion text The supplier undertakes to deliver, from the start of the contract, only raw material from chickens, turkeys and hens produced in such a manner that antibiotics, as defined in Regulation 2019/6/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, are not used to promote growth or routinely prevent disease. Antibiotics shall only be used on veterinary prescription for sick animals or for animals in groups where disease has broken out, after clinical disease has been diagnosed in part of the group. There shall be documentation for raw material from chickens, turkeys and hens throughout the contract period showing the total number of medical treatments, the reason for treatment and the preparations used. Documentation per flock1 will be sufficient. Third and fourth generation cephalosporins may only be used when microbiological and resistance testing shows that there is no effective alternative. Coccidiostats as feed additives are not deemed to be antibiotics in this criterion. | ||||
| 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:
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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.