This long-awaited proposal from the European Commission is based on the Scientific Veterinary Committee's 1996 report on the welfare of laying hens. The proposal is to replace Directive 88/166/EEC, which lays down minimum standards for hens kept in battery cages, with a new Directive covering the welfare of all laying hens. This introduces requirements for the provision of nests, perches and litter for dustbathing, but makes derogations for the continued use of existing cages for several years.