Battery cage ban welcomed by BVA

An attempt by some EU Member States to delay a ban on battery cages for laying hens was thwarted by Defra Secretary of State Caroline Spelmans attack on the proposals during yesterdays (Monday) meeting of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers in Brussels. Several other countries, including Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands, backed her calls to ensure the ban was implemented on time.

Commenting, BVA President Harvey Locke said: 

We are delighted that UKs robust opposition to a proposed delay in enforcing the ban on battery cages for laying hens convinced EU Agriculture Ministers that the ban must come fully into force on 1 January 2012, as planned.  This measure will improve the welfare of around 250 million egg laying hens across the EU.

Egg producers in the UK, and indeed in many other European countries, have worked hard to convert out of battery cages ahead of the European deadline and have invested considerable sums converting their systems to ensure they meet the strictest possible welfare standards.

The egg industry throughout Europe has had 12 years to prepare for this change in law and there is no excuse to further continue the suffering of egg laying hens being reared in cramped, barren, battery cages.

1.         Directive 1999/74/EC, laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens, provides that conventional cages will have to be phased out in the EU by 1 January 2012 since they were found to be unacceptable for animal welfare reasons.

2.         From 2012 British farmers will only use, as a minimum, better welfare cages that provide laying hens more space to move about, perches and nest boxes.  Free range, barn and organic systems will also be permitted.