Taiwan adopts cage-free layer housing guidelines

Taiwan has released updated layer welfare standards that will affect eggs labeled as free-range, enriched cage or barn, encouraging producers to move toward the adoption of cage-free systems.

Meredith Johnson Headshot
Cage Free System | Courtesy Hellmann Poultry Equipment
Cage Free System | Courtesy Hellmann Poultry Equipment

Taiwan has released updated layer welfare standards that will affect eggs labeled as free-range, enriched cage or barn, encouraging producers to move toward the adoption of cage-free systems.

One of the major selling points of the revision, which is expected to apply to approximately four million layers in Taiwan, is a reduction in interest rates for farmers investing in cage-free housing.

The changes

The most significant change in the guideline is an increase in amount of space per hen in cage-free farms. The previous guidelines stated that there shall be one square meter per 12 birds; the new guidelines reduce that number to 10 birds, or 1.08 square feet per bird (versus European (EU) guidelines of 1.2 square feet per bird).

Cage heights in enriched systems will now be required to have 600 square cm of usable space per bird, not including the nesting area and cage heights of 45 cm (versus the EU standard of 20 cm). Other modifications in the new guidelines include: prohibiting forced molting and deprivation of feed, requiring a segregated area for injured or sick hens, and having clearer specifications for nest boxes, perches and shelters.

Yu-Min Chen, Deputy Chief Executive of Environmental & Animal Society of Taiwan (EAST) stated, “The updated regulations are a vote of confidence in Taiwan’s cage-free transition.” EAST is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that campaigns for improvements in both human and animal welfare. Comparable to the EU animal welfare guidelines, Taiwan, with the help of EAST, is moving towards the removal of enriched cages from the industry.

In May 2018, the Carrefour Taiwan locations announced that they would start to sell free-range eggs under their brand after a visit to EAST. By 2019, Carrefour Taiwan committed to sell only free-range eggs from their personal Carrefour Quality Line hens in Taiwan, with a personal goal of 100% cage-free egg sales by 2025.

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