Ending battery cages
The Australian Alliance for Animals is committed to ensuring all states and territories implement and enforce new regulations to phase out battery cages. The continued use of battery cages by egg producers demonstrates the undue influence of industry interests over the welfare of animals.
In 2023, the National Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry were finalised and included a battery cage phase-out period between 2032-2036. While this was a significant milestone for the campaign, there is still more work to be done. Although all states and territories have agreed to the phase out, governments are yet to implement this change through legislation.
The Alliance, as part of a national coalition of animal protection groups, is advocating for all states and territories to accelerate the enforcement of the phase out and to fast-track the transition to more humane cage-free production systems.
Keeping states and territories accountable
After a staggering seven-year revision of the National Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry, the government set a distant 2036 deadline for phasing out battery cages. Annually in Australia, over 5 million intelligent, inquisitive hens are deprived of their natural behaviours by being locked in barren wire cages with less than an A4 sheet of paper of space per hen. This decade-long deadline will mean up to 55 million more hens will suffer, despite viable alternatives being readily available.
In response, the Alliance actively engaged with political parties during state elections in Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania, to secure support for a shortened phase-out period. The Greens and Animal Justice Party were the only parties to give their full support in all three states. In NSW, Labor provided partial support.
Western Australia is the first state to implement was the only minister to pledge her state wanted to ban cage eggs by 2032, or possibly earlier.
Further, we empowered individuals to act by providing resources to contact their local state/territory representative, calling for an expedited transition.
Part of a strategic coalition
The Alliance is a key member of a national coalition striving to end the use of battery cages in Australia. Our collective efforts focus on policy advocacy, direct engagement with policymakers, and leveraging media attention to ensure the welfare of hens remains at the forefront of public and political discourse.
Despite Australian Agriculture Ministers endorsing the battery cage phase out, they have sentenced hens to another decade of suffering.
Together, we can change their fate.
Image: Animal Liberation
What is the Alliance doing?
The Alliance will continue to meet with policymakers to advocate for the adoption and enforcement of the phase out of battery cages and push for a reduced phase-out period.
Together with our core member organisations and allies, we will stay committed to ensuring the end of battery cages. But we cannot do this alone. Passionate supporters like you are vital to ensuring the industry complies.
Australian hens need you.
Urge state leaders to free hens from cages – and sooner than 2036.
One year has passed since the agreement to phase out battery cages, yet this crucial change hasn't been 'locked in'. It’s time to urge state Agriculture Ministers to not only confirm an end date, but to accelerate the timeline for freeing hens from cages.
Animals Australia
Write to your local MP today.
Will you call on your state/territory governments to shorten this unacceptably long phase-out period?
FAQs about battery cages
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Currently, Australia has more than 5 million hens confined to battery cages. Cage production systems account for 55% of the egg industry.
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Battery cages are small wire cages that are designed to house layer hens. They pose significant welfare issues for hens, restricting important natural behaviours such as foraging, nesting, perching, and stretching their wings. These cramped and barren conditions lead to physical ailments like bone weakness and feather loss, and cause hens immense psychological stress on a daily basis.
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The government’s decision to phase out battery cages was largely driven by growing consumer concerns regarding the welfare of hens. An increasing number of Australians are purchasing eggs produced using alternative housing systems, such as free-range and barn-laid. Further, during the national poultry standards public consultation, a staggering majority of a record 167,000 community submissions strongly supported the end of battery cages.
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The national standards phase out only applies to barren battery cages. when implemented, will end the use barren battery cages in favour of alternative housing systems. Egg producers will also have the option to transition to “enriched” or “furnished” cages, which provide the hens with a little extra room, a nest box, perch, and scratch pad, but still restrict the movement and natural behaviours of hens.
You can help prevent the potential uptake of enriched cages by ensuring that you always only buy cage-free eggs.
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Yes, several countries, including Switzerland (1992), Germany (2006), Norway (2012), Bhutan (2012), all European Union member states (2012), India (2017), and New Zealand (2022), have nationally banned battery cages.
Mexico, Israel, and Canada are in the process of phasing out battery cages.
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You can choose to buy eggs from cage-free or free-range systems, support brands and stores that do not sell or use battery-caged eggs, and advocate for legislative changes that promote higher welfare standards for all farmed animals.
The Alliance for Animals is leading the movement to build a fair and independent animal welfare governance system that respects animals. Learn more about #FairGoForAnimals here.
Image: Animal Liberation
Related resources
Explore our collection of articles, media releases, and the comprehensive submissions we've made to advocate for the end of battery cages. Each resource underscores the critical need for reform and the powerful role your support plays.
Find out more about ending battery cages from our core member organisations
