Directive 1999/74/EC recognised three farming methods for rearing laying hens within the European Union (EU): unenriched cages, enriched cages and alternative systems. The Directive came into force in July 1999 with the aim of protecting laying hen welfare by setting out a core set of minimum standards. Article 10 of these regulations required the European Commission (EC) to submit to the Council a report based on scientific opinion and covering the various rearing systems for laying hens, taking into account pathological, zootechnical, physiological and ethological aspects as well as environmental and health impacts. The report was also required to incorporate the socio-economic implications of the various systems and their effects on the European Communities economic partners.