The object of this Directive is to establish minimum standards for the protection of laying hens. This Directive shall not apply neither to establishments with fewer than 350 laying hens, nor to establishments rearing breeding laying hens. Nevertheless, such establishments shall continue to be subject to the relevant requirements of Directive 98/58/EC. Article 2 sets forth definitions with a view to defining the application scope of the present provisions. In particular, for the purposes of this