Several member states, together with the Commission, pointed out the need to comply with the deadline for implementing new mandatory requirements concerning pregnant sows. They considered that there was a strong demand from consumers on this issue and that everything should be done to avoid any distortion of competition between member states on 1 January 2013.

New housing requirements were introduced by directive 2001/88 amending directive 91/630. They include, among others, the requirements for mandatory group housing for sows, permanent access to materials for rooting for sows and gilts, and new minimum requirement for flooring surfaces. The Commission focused on the requirement of group housing of sows. This requirement should be implemented by member states as from 1 January 2013.