Historic phase-out of battery cages agreed by state and territory governments
The Australian Alliance for Animals has today welcomed the long-awaited release of the final national poultry standards but calls on state and territory governments to shorten the 2036 phase-out timeline for battery cages.
Alliance for Animals’ Policy Director Dr Jed Goodfellow described the outcome as an historic decision for animal welfare but expressed concern about the length of the phase-out timeline.
“Australia just took a significant step towards becoming a kinder and more compassionate country,
“Over 5 million intelligent, social, inquisitive hens are currently locked away in small barren wire cages, each with less an A4-sized sheet of paper in floor space on which to live for their entire lives,
“This is no way to treat animals, it is not reflective of modern Australian values, and we are so relieved to see that state and territory governments finally agree,
“However, we remain concerned about the length of the phase-out timeline – the vast majority of cages in Australia are already reaching the end of their commercial lives, so the timeline could, and should, be considerably shorter,
“We have calculated that a 2036 phase out timeline could see up to 55 million additional hens suffer unnecessarily and, frankly, that’s not good enough when alternatives are readily available,
“The market for cage eggs has been in sharp decline for over a decade as Aussie consumers and food businesses move away from cages in droves,
“We call on state and territory governments to shorten the phase-out timeframe and expediate the transition to more humane cage-free production systems.
QUICK FACTS:
Cage eggs account for 36% of volume and 28% of value in Australian supermarkets
Battery cage systems prevent hens from engaging in essential behaviours including wing flapping, perching, nesting, and foraging, and cause the highest rates of fatty liver disease, disuse osteoporosis (brittle bones), and rates of bone fracture at depopulation of any egg production system
64% of Australian egg consumers currently purchase non-cage (free-range or barn) eggs and economic analysis has shown that they will likely see a price decrease of 4 cents per egg due to increasing economies of scale.
NOTES FOR MEDIA
For all media, photo and interview inquiries, please contact Media Advisor Lorna Edwards on 0401 804 171 or email media@allianceforanimals.org.au.
Dr Goodfellow is available for interviews:
Dr Jed Goodfellow leads the Alliance’s law and policy reform agenda. He has over 20 years’ experience in animal welfare law, policy and advocacy, and has played a leading role in the campaign to end battery cages. He completed his PhD in animal welfare regulation in 2015.
About the Australian Alliance for Animals
The Australian Alliance for Animals is a national registered charity leading a strategic alliance of Australia’s key animal protection organisations with a combined supporter base of over 2 million people. Website: www.allianceforanimals.org.au
Photo credit: Seb Alex We Animals Media.