Egg consumption has stabilised at much too low a level of 206 eggs. Perhaps, together with necessary price adjustments (expensive feed, rising energy costs, higher costs to meet the requirements with regard to henhouse furnishings, etc.), we will succeed in increasing sales by a direct approach to consumers.

KAT regularly provides information through press releases in many magazines and other media. The objective is to provide information, but also to present the KAT association. The “www.kat.ec” website, formerly “Was-steht-auf-dem-Ei.de”, has developed into an outstanding consumer information system which is unique in this form worldwide. Because transparency and consumer information are more important than ever.

Other things we intend to do in 2008:

The zoonosis regulation represents a new challenge to laying hen farmers. We will follow its implementation and incorporate its requirements successively into the current KAT guidelines. To begin with, there will be an introductory period to make sure that no establishments are left behind. Parent animals, hatcheries, rearing and feedstuffs are included. The corresponding guides are already completed and can be called up on our website. We want to support our hen farmers in implementing the requirements. Ultimately, implementing the zoonosis regulation and upholding the criteria will entail the complete inclusion of chick and young hen rearing as well as the mixed feed industry. Although that means greater costs, it also means greater safety.  

KAT wants to expand the collaboration with other countries and the local inspection systems. Specifically, that is happening with IKB in the Netherlands. There are already combination audits, which means fewer inspections and lower costs. The KAT requirements must, of course, be met in full which represents a challenge for many IKB establishments as well. Similar initiatives exist in Belgium and Austria.

Inspections are unfortunately unavoidable. In the first instance, that serves the interests of KAT establishments. Organic produce, above all, is becoming scarce. The framework conditions (feed, GMOs, etc.) are restricting growth and, furthermore, “organic” does not always mean the same thing. KAT will therefore tighten the checks on compliance with the criteria in the different countries, including cross-audits through a specially commissioned organic certification agency and improved isotope tests including feedstuffs and additives. Cage rearing will end in Germany at the end of 2008 – with the exception of transitional arrangements – but not in other EU countries. It is doubtful, in any case, whether the ban will come in 2012. It is likely that many countries will continue to have conventional cages. Although the EU Commission unequivocally supports a general ban from 2012, the determining factor is the position taken by the EU Council. Inspections of deliveries from member states are therefore more important than ever because the statutory framework continues to allow room for manipulation. Inspections and goods flow movement through the KAT database help to prevent this.

Database: Here, too, we want to make improvements. Many things are too cumbersome and perhaps also too expensive. We will work on that in 2008 and anticipate interesting innovations. The objective is greater benefit for all participants.

We want to improve our website and run it in several languages in the interests of our members. Hence KAT is now used as its own website name, replacing KAT-Cert. In this way, too, we want to make a contribution to extending communication with the trade and consumers.

The KAT Office continues to be available at any time for questions and, of course, criticism – how else are we going to improve.