Hundreds of European farmers expected to flout battery hen ban
According to this article: “Hundreds of poultry farmers acrossEuropewith millions of egg-laying hens are expected to flout a ban on conventional battery cages next year. The new regulations are designed to eradicate the practice and dramatically enhance animal welfare.
According to European commission figures, 10 countries – including theUK– are set to be fully compliant with the new legislation by the time it comes into effect on 1 January 2012. Thus consumers can be sure that eggs from those member states have been produced in relatively high welfare conditions. But eight countries – includingPortugal,Belgium and Poland– are not predicted to make the grade, with more than 17 million hens expected to remain in old-fashioned battery cages by January.”
This story reminds us of how difficult it is for compassionate farming to compete in a global environment. It justifies more of us “growing” our own eggs – I have 5 chickens (Buff Orpingtons) which cost nothing much to keep and are great fun. I think encouraging people to think more effectively about the food they eat and encouraging them even in very urban environments to have a go at growing their own is a really useful thing local authorities can support. Jessica and I have developed food and farming strategies on these themes with the support of local authorities in the South Pennines, Yorkshire Dales, Pembrokeshire andCornwall. I would be happy to share the outcomes of our work with any local authority readers interested in taking a positive leaf out of the book of these councils.