fowl and turkeys

Draft regulation relating to amendments to the regulation on the keeping of domestic fowl and turkeys

Council Directive 1999/74/EC of 19 July 1999 laying down minimum standards for the protection of layinghens and Council Directive 2007/43/EC of 28 June 2007 laying down minimum rules for the protection ofchickens kept for meat production are both implemented in the Regulation on the keeping of domestic fowl andturkeys. However, we have discovered a few errors in the implementation. E.g. the definition of usable area isdifferent in the two directives and as there is only one definition in the Norwegian regulation, this definitiondoes not adequately cover all aspects of the requirement for broilers. We have now corrected all of theseerrors so that both directives are correctly transposed in Norwegian legislation.
In addition we have amended provisions related to the birds' natural behaviours such as requirements for dustbathing, perches and enrichment material. The animal welfare act of 2009 introduced stricter requirements forensuring all animals not only absence of suffering, injuries etc but also good welfare. Satisfying naturalbehavioural needs is key to providing animals with positive welfare.
We have also introduced new requirements for animal welfare schemes and animal welfare plans. Producerskeeping broilers and turkeys are already obliged to join an animal welfare scheme. We now propose that themajority of producers keeping poultry are obliged to join an animal welfare scheme. Both animal welfareschemes and plans will contribute to increase knowledge on animal welfare and that the management of theholdings also reflects on welfare aspects.
Other amendments have been made to clarify certain provisions or to modernise the legislation according totechnological advancements.