Source: SAFE For Animals
SAFE is calling on the Government to put an end to all caged-hen farming in New Zealand, warning that without such action, the country will be left behind on global animal welfare standards.
In recent weeks, the media has been abuzz with discussion around the demise of the ‘cage age’ for egg production in New Zealand.
However, while it is the case that legislation made in 2012 – which promised to phase-out battery caged-egg production – will come into effect by the end of the year, colony cages will remain legal.
SAFE Head of Campaigns, Jessica Chambers, said the lack of understanding around colony cages was concerning, but not unexpected.
“New Zealanders are being misled by the egg industries use of the term ‘colony laid’ – a label placed on egg products which come from hens confined in cages almost indistinguishable from battery cages”.
“It’s important people know colony cages are barely an improvement on battery cages – both of which breach the Animal Welfare Act by severely restricting a hen’s ability to display normal patterns of behaviour. This discussion around the caging of hens coming to an end is hopeful, but incorrect.”
“In Aotearoa, we’re phasing out an overcrowded cage only for them to be replaced by another overcrowded cage, while overseas all forms of caged hen farming are being banned,” said Chambers.
A recent Colmar Brunton poll found over three-quarters of New Zealanders support a ban on the caging of hens. All major supermarkets in Aotearoa will phase out the sale of cage eggs from as early as 2024.
“With 76% of kiwis opposed to the caging of hens and leading supermarkets removing cage eggs from their supply chains, legislation in Aotearoa is falling behind.”
“Banning battery cages and allowing colony cages to continue abandons 1.2 million hens to a life of suffering. The Government needs to finally announce a ban on all caging of hens.”
SAFE’s petition calling on the Minister of Agriculture, Damien O’Connor, to ban all forms of cage farming systems in New Zealand has reached over 18,000 signatures.
SAFE is Aotearoa’s leading animal rights organisation.
We’re creating a future that ensures the rights of animals are respected. Our core work empowers society to make kinder choices for ourselves, animals and our planet.
– Colony cages are either already banned or are being actively phased out in parts of Europe, including Switzerland, Luxembourg, Germany, Denmark, Slovakia, Austria, the Czech Republic and the Walloon Region of Belgium. In the USA, ten states have already banned the sale and production of cage eggs.
– In June of 2021, the European Union Commission announced plans to ban the caging of farmed animals by 2027. A move that will free over 300 million animals from cages across the EU.
– The majority of Aotearoa’s leading egg purchases in the foodservice industry have pledged to remove cage eggs from their supply chains. This includes all leading supermarkets (Pak ‘N’ Save, New World, Countdown and Fresh Choice), major food service groups and popular restaurant chains.
– SAFE has been calling for an urgent review of the Layer Hens code of welfare as it currently allows for the use of colony cages – even though colony cages breach the New Zealand Animal Welfare Act 1999.
– The Act states animals must have the ability to perform normal patterns of behaviour, something hens in colony cages do not have the opportunity to do. Currently, 1.2 million birds are confined in colony cages across the country.
– In the last year, over 2600 thousand kiwis have written to NAWAC asking for the code of welfare for hens to be reviewed and for a recommendation to be made to ban colony cages.
