RSPCA continues fight for conditions of laying hens

RSPCA continues fight for conditions of laying hens

RSPCA continues fight for conditions of laying hens

The battle is not over to improve conditions for the 19 million laying hens still in cages in Britain and the RSPCA today renews its campaign to get them out of cages once and for all.

Many people don’t realise that when a ban on conventional battery cages comes into force in Britain in 2012, large numbers of laying hens will simply be moved into so-called ‘enriched’ cages.

While the RSPCA considers ‘enriched’ cages to be a small step forward compared with conventional barren battery cages, they still don’t adequately meet even some of the most basic welfare needs of the birds, not allowing them enough room to spread their wings properly or sufficient facilities to dustbathe effectively.

The RSPCA is very disappointed by a new report by the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC), the Government’s advisory body, which concludes that enriched cages can meet the needs of the laying hens provided proper animal husbandry is provided.

Alice Clark, an RSPCA farm animal scientist, said: “Enriched cages are little better than the notorious battery cages. Little will change from the hens’ point of view, so we are calling on the Government to ban all cages and are urging consumers not to buy eggs from them, especially as commercially viable, higher welfare production systems have been operating in the UK for some years.

“It seems hard to understand why the Farm Animal Welfare Council concludes that these cages are acceptable yet admits that a number of uncertainties remain regarding their welfare credentials. For example, FAWC says it still has concerns as to whether an enriched cage can satisfy a hen’s need to scratch, forage and dustbathe, or whether the welfare of hens in enriched cages is as satisfactory as that of those kept in barns or free-range systems.

“Currently, some 37 per cent of eggs produced in the UK come from birds reared to higher welfare standards in cage-free systems. That’s a heartening statistic especially as demand for these eggs has grown so rapidly over the last decade. Now we are asking all consumers to continue to support better welfare for hens by not buying eggs that come from any kind of cage.”

Eggs bearing the Freedom Food logo come from birds that are reared on farms inspected to RSPCA welfare standards and are free to move around in barn or free-range systems. The RSPCA’s standards do not allow any type of battery cage – conventional or enriched.

FAWC also released its current opinion on beak trimming of laying hens. The RSPCA fully supports FAWC’s recommendation for more research on different aspects of this area. However, the RSPCA is very concerned that FAWC advises that the legislative ban on beak trimming, due to be implemented at the end of 2010, should not be introduced. While the RSPCA recognises that the issues surrounding feather pecking are complex, a date for the end of beak trimming is essential. Working to a known timescale will provide the incentive to undertake further research without delay, in order to reach a point where enough is known to minimise the risk of injury from feather pecking to such an extent that beak trimming is no longer necessary.

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Note to editors:

For more information or images or to arrange an interview contact the RSPCA’s Press Office on 0300 123 0244 or 0870 754 0244.

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