Interpretation

2.  In these Regulations –

“authorised officer” means any person who is authorised, either generally or specially, by the Department to act in matters arising under these Regulations;

“the Department” means the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development;

“the Directive” means Commission Directive 2002/4/EC on the registration of establishments keeping laying hens, covered by Council Directive 1999/74/EC(1);

“establishment” means any site at which 350 or more laying hens are kept;

“laying hens” means hens of the species Gallus gallus which have reached maturity and are kept for the production of eggs not intended for hatching; and

“register” means the register of establishments maintained by the Department pursuant to regulation 3.

(1)

O.J. No. L30, 31.1.2002, p. 44