Hen code forgets that a cage is still a cage

The Government must move to rid New Zealand of battery hen cages completely, and not seek to replace them with so-called ‘enriched’ cages, Green Party animal welfare spokesperson Sue Kedgley said today.

The draft welfare code for layer hens, was today released for public consultation. The code, which has been developed by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), intends to phase out battery cages while allowing for the use of ‘enriched’ cages.

“Battery hen cages must be phased out as sow crates are being,” said Ms Kedgley.

“There is no excuse, in the 21st century, to imprison millions of hens in barren cages where they suffer continuously, and cannot even stretch their wings.

“As for allowing the use of enriched cages - a cage is a cage whatever it’s called,” said Ms Kedgley.

“There is no point in pretending that an enriched cage, which gives hens the equivalent of an extra credit card of space, is acceptable.

“Enriched cages are condemned internationally on the grounds of animal cruelty and it is ludicrous that NAWAC is proposing replacing one cruel cage system with another one.

“Hens locked in cages suffer foot damage, leg weakness and osteoporosis from having no exercise all in their lives. They also suffer skin damage and feather loss from rubbing against cages.

“Most of all hens suffer from being locked in a cage where they cannot exercise, get away from other hens, or express their natural behaviours.”

Ms Kedgley said public pressure forced the Government to act on phasing out sow crates. Public pressure can also now force the Government to phase hen cages out completely.

“This is particularly the case in election year and the Green Party is determined to make getting rid of battery hen cages an election issue.

“Clearly the Government has bowed to pressure from the poultry industry.”