In the context of European welfare ratings, by what year were enriched cages banned in the EU?
Answer
2012
The progression of animal welfare standards within the European Union involves specific regulatory milestones that dictate housing conditions for laying hens. A significant benchmark in this evolution was the ban placed on enriched cages. This regulatory prohibition went into effect across the EU in the year 2012. This action marked a definitive shift away from that housing system, moving the regulatory baseline towards higher welfare alternatives such as barn systems and free-range environments. Following this ban, the quality conversation in Europe pivots to differentiating between barn, free-range, and the top tiers of organic and biodynamic production methods.

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