Final 100 day countdown to battery cage ban in Europe

Posted on 23/09/2011

Today marks the final phase in the countdown to the European Union ban on the use of conventional battery cages for laying hens. In 100 days these cages will be outlawed and the welfare of millions of laying hens will be improved. To mark this milestone Eurogroup for Animals has launched a campaign for one final push to maintain pressure on European authorities, national governments and major egg users to ensure this ban is respected and that no further extensions or derogations are granted. You can find out more about the conditions these chickens have been kept in and what you can do to free them by visiting http://layinghens.eurogroupforanimals.org

Recent figures show that 17 million animals will still be in conventional cages after 1 January 2012. As producers have been given a generous 12 year period to comply with the legislation, this is unacceptable and must be stopped immediately, said Sonja Van Tichelen, director of Eurogroup for Animals.

Each and every European citizen can act now to make a difference by ensuring that every time we buy or eat an egg we ensure it comes from a cage free system. Whether it is at home or in your local supermarket, café, restaurant or holiday hotel or even your work place caterer or local school you can challenge the company or purchaser to ensure that all their eggs come from non-cage systems, she concluded.

We must take our responsibilities seriously as we only have 100 days to ensure Europe becomes a cage free zone. Join us by visiting our website and act today to make a difference!