Welfare of Farmed Animals (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (S.R. No. 259 of 2002).

The Regulations insert a new regulation 5 and Schedule 3, to apply requirements in relation to the keeping of laying hens other than in the systems referred to in the new Schedules 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D to the principal Regulations (regulations 5 and 9). The new Schedule 3A specifies requirements for the conditions, including the stocking density, in which laying hens may be kept in non-cage systems. Schedule 3B specifies requirements for the conditions for laying hens kept in conventional (battery) cages. Schedule 3C provides that all cage systems which are not conventional (battery) systems, have to meet additional requirements relating to the conditions in which laying hens are kept (enriched cages). Schedule 3D applies to all systems for keeping laying hens. It provides for general requirements regarding inspection, sound levels, lighting, cleansing and construction of cages. This Schedule also prohibits mutilation, but permits beak trimming until 31 December 2010, under certain conditions.