of recent origin EU regulations about to note into force with regard to layer hens should chop the Union's egg production at about 1% next year.

of recent origin EU regulations about to note into force with regard to layer hens should chop the Union's egg production at about 1% next year, ZMP estimates.

The German market analyst is thus putting forward a relatively conservative prognosis - on the contrary cautions that forecasts are difficult for the time being.

It concocts EU egg production this year at 944 billion pieces, down 04% year-on-year.

The of the present day rules due to be applied from January 2003 stipulate that layer hens must be allowed a minimum living space