Directive 74/1999/EC on the protection of laying hens: analysis of implementation issues by means of focus Group and qualitative interview methods

The aim of the present preliminary research was to understand the reasons which determined, in the Italian context, the delayed implementation of the 74/1999/CE Directive, and the issues that poultry operators have faced and are currently dealing with in order to comply with the law. A further aim of the research was to assess the possible consequences of the correct implementation of the Directive on the whole poultry industry on a national and European level, both in terms of farm management and in the market. The research was carried out through the application of two qualitative techniques: 1) a self- contained focus group, which involved experts from the University, from the Public Veterinary Services (AUSL) and from the business world, 2) a semistructured qualitative interview, which involved two veterinarians from the AUSL, two veterinary professionals (which are currently employed by two of the most important poultry groups in Italy and in Europe), two experts on the welfare of laying hens, a representative of the Italian Association of Poultry Producers, and two poultry farmers. From the information gathered it was possible to understand which factors determined the delay in the law implementation: 1) from an economic standpoint, the adoption of modified cages requires an investment of 10-15€ per hen, and a reduction of hen number up to 30%; 2) the interpretation of the directive is not straightforward as concerns construction of the cages, 3) the reduction in the number of hens implies, also in barn systems, a decrease of production (-6-8%), 4) farm management is more difficult and expensive, 5) farmers that have chosen "alternative systems" have to face more sanitary problems (i.e.: Salmonella).