Regulation No. 818 on minimum animal welfare requirements for the keeping of laying hens, pullets, and parent animals, etc.

The present Regulation, issued by the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, applies to production systems with 350 or more laying hens. The provision in Article 3 also applies to the keeping of fewer than 350 laying hens and to pullets that are kept with the intention of later becoming laying hens. The provisions in Articles 4-27 also apply to agricultural holdings with fewer than 350 laying hens, to chicks, to parent animals, and to pullets that are kept with the intention of later becoming laying hens. The Regulation prohibits the keeping of laying hens and pullets in any form of cage system. Beak trimming is also prohibited, with the exceptions laid down Article 22. Amputation of toes, combs, and spurs is also prohibited.
The Regulation contains 47 articles organized in the following chapters: 1. Scope of application; 2. Definitions; 3. Prohibition of cage systems; 4. Common rules for chicks, pullets, parent animals, and laying hens; 5. General provisions for production systems for laying hens; 6. Special provisions for alternative production systems for laying hens; 7. Keeping of laying hens in cage systems; 8. Penalties; 9. Entry into force and transitional provisions.