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  4. Hens are too good for cages

6 January 2012

2012 is the year all Australian’s should get into a flap about the plight of over 11 million layer hens still confined to battery cages.

There’s never been a better time than this New Year to commit to only buying cage-free eggs – sending a clear message to the Australian egg industry that cages are unacceptable.

Consumer outrage and public pressure has seen the barren battery cage banned in the UK and now Europe. From 1 January 2012, the European Union banned the barren battery cage for egg production, the recent change in legislation has followed a 12 year phase out period.

“We know 70% of Australian consumers are concerned about hens in cages.  This recent ban of the battery cage coming into force in Europe shows what consumer pressure can really achieve and the RSPCA encourages all Australians to take a stand for caged hens here in Australia”, said RSPCA Australia CEO Heather Neil.

There is overwhelming scientific evidence to support the RSPCA’s view that hens do not belong in cages.

Frustrated from an inability to express natural behaviours as simple as flapping their wings, scratching in the dirt, caged hens suffer chronically throughout their short lives. Over 11 million hens live like this in Australia today, existing in less space each than an A4 piece of paper.

“Hens are smart, sociable and inquisitive creatures that are too good for cages. By only purchasing cage-free eggs consumers are sending a direct market signal that hens confined to cages is unacceptable. We urge all Australians to make a New Year commitment to go cage-free”.

For further information about layer hens visit http://www.rspca.org.au/hens

 

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