I was listening to Radio 4 on way home before and they where talking about EU changing legislation on battery cages to enriched cages. I believe this was a 12yr phase out being enforced this year.
http://www.fairweatherconsulting.com...e-agriculture/
This is what wiki says the new cages should be
"The EU Directive allows enriched or "furnished" cages to be used. Under the directive, enriched cages must be at least 45 cm high and must provide each hen with at least 750 cm² of space; 600 cm² of this must be "usable area" – the other 150 cm² is for a nest-box. The cage must also contain litter, perches and "claw-shortening devices". Some animal welfare organisations, such as Compassion in World Farming, have criticised this move, calling for enriched cages to be prohibited as they believe they provide no significant or worthwhile welfare benefits as compared with conventional battery cages. The use of battery cages is banned in Belgium, Austria, Sweden and the Netherlands."
What I was listening to said the price of eggs is increasing and pushing business out market etc. I was wondering if this might see a move to more egg-free alternatives. A lot of people didn't seem to realise you could make a cake without egg!
I'm dubious the new cages will be much better, are they still going to cut their beaks? On the programme it said most egg places were having to half their numbers. Which is a half the way there - kinda.....
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this - I did think maybe increase egg price might encourage more veggies to go vegan but then if they think cages are improving a guess there is less of a push on them to think of the hens. So maybe ultimately it isn't a step forward?!
Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
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