She has never felt the sun warm her feathers, her claws haven’t scratched the dirt, she hasn’t stretched her wings. She hasn’t experienced love or joy, or friendship. How could she. She is one of five million hens who are still trapped in battery cages across Australia.

On the 13 July 2023 State and Territory Agriculture Ministers agreed to endorse the ‘New National Standards for Poultry’.  This agreement came after an arduous and drawn out 7-year review. The new Standards included a 2032-2036 phase out timeline. Every state except NSW agreed to the phase out timeline.

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We have just witnessed Federal Labor achieve this with live sheep export by sea – there is nothing stopping state and territory government doing the same for hens.  

It’s time for State Governments to act on their commitment and introduce legislation to finally end this cruel practice. FOUR PAWS are campaigning for a legislated ban and with a shorter timeframe. The current timeframe will condemn another 55 million individual hens to this life of misery.

Australia’s standards for farmed animal welfare continue to fall short of community expectations – the ongoing cruel treatment of hens exemplifies this. Our standards also fall short of our international counterparts with 30 of the 36 nations of the OECD either having phased out battery cages or in the process of getting rid of them¹.

It was way back in 1999 that Europe and the UK began a process to phase out battery cages, with a ban coming into effect in 2012. New Zealand began their process to phase out battery cages back in 2012 with a ban coming into effect on 1 January 2023. And let’s not forget the ACT banned battery cages in 2014.

Yet here in Australia we are still waiting for our elected leaders to listen to the will of the people and enact a legislated ban.

In fact, in a sad indictment on the lack of leadership in animal welfare of elected representatives, even our supermarket giants have stepped up and acted against cruelty by committing to an end to battery caged egg sales by 2025.
 

The writing has been on the wall for years...

The egg industry claims a 14-year phase out is too long. They claim they weren't listened to and are responding by strongly arguing for a 2046 phase out – that means they are demanding that hens are kept in cages for another 24 years.

And in NSW, the state responsible for holding the greatest number of hens in cages, the Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty appears to be listening to the powerful industry lobby. Stating in October last year ‘there were no plans “at this stage” for the national poultry standards to be legislated in NSW².

Does industry have a point? 

Short answer - no. That's a capital NO. 

The campaign to free hens from cages has been long and hard fought. There has been strong and growing community opposition to battery cages for over 40 years. A 2020 survey by RSPCA Australia found that 84% of Australians believe that battery cages should be banned.

The process to end the use of battery cages started in earnest with the commencement of the 2016 Review Poultry standards, a review that took seven years and a review the industry participated in. This, combined with the 14-year phase-out period, means the industry has essentially been on notice for more than 21 years. So, for the CEO of Egg Farmers Australia, Melinda Hashimoto, to claim the guidelines were a “slap in the face” to egg farmers and that a 2036 deadline “could drive many family egg farmers to the wall” is quite a stretch.

While the outcome of ending battery cages was good news, animal advocates and organisations like FOUR PAWS are not happy with the drawn-out 14-year phase-out timeline. This decision was certainly not a case of animal advocates getting what they want despite industry demands.

Battery egg producers have had over a decade of warning about the impending changes.

Industries that profit from the exploitation of animals are not just reluctant to change; they will fight tooth and nail to continue. These systems will always prioritise profit over animal welfare. We saw this with the live export industry over decades. To end the cruelty of live export, the government stepped in and legislated a ban. A legislated ban is also exactly what is required for the battery hen phase-out.

The Agriculture Ministers from each State and Territory have the power to enact a legislated ban. And it is about time they did just that.

You are powerful.

Write to your State Ag Minister and demand they move to enshrine the phase out timeline in legislation.

Millions of hens are counting on you.

Your letter need not be long. A simple paragraph is all that is required.  We have made the decision not to provide a template to use, as a few lines in your own words is infinitely more powerful than a templated response. We have included some key points to raise, and a letter that can be individualised.

Together, we can make a difference and free hens from their caged misery. Our governments must be held accountable and legislate a definitive end date for battery cages.

Here are some key points to include in your letter:

·       Public Opinion: Highlight that 84% of Australians oppose battery cages, as shown by RSPCA Australia's 2020 survey.

·       Global Standards: Emphasise that Europe and New Zealand have already legislated bans on battery cages, along with the ACT, and Australia must follow suit to stay in line with global animal welfare standards.

·       Social License: Stress that the battery egg industry has known for over a decade that it lacks social license and public support.

·       Ample Time: Point out that producers have had significant warning and will be provided financial support to transition away from battery cages.

·       Animal Welfare: Highlight the cruelty of confining millions of hens in small, cramped cages and the importance of allowing them to exhibit natural behaviours.

Dear [State Agriculture Minister's Name],

As the (insert State) Minister for Agriculture I am writing to urge you to legislate an end date for battery-caged hens as soon as possible, and at a minimum, within the agreed 2032-2036 phase-out period. As a concerned citizen, I believe it is crucial to address the cruelty of battery cages and transition to more humane practices.

Polling shows that 84% of Australians oppose battery cages, reflecting a clear public mandate for change. Additionally, Europe and New Zealand along with the ACT have already legislated bans on battery cages, and it is time for Australia to align with these global standards. The industry has had ample warning to transition away from this inhumane practice. It is time to act decisively to ensure that millions of hens are no longer confined to small, cramped cages.

I urge you to commit to the phase-out timeline and consider a shorter timeframe. A timeframe that reflects the reality of this issue, the time that has already passed, and the expectations of modern Australian community standards.

It is past time to legislate an end date for battery cages, demonstrating that our government prioritises animal welfare and listens to the voices of its constituents.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

FOUR PAWS is committed to the Five Domains of Animal Welfare: Nutrition, Environment, Health, Behaviour, and Mental State. Battery cages fail to meet these standards in every respect, particularly in allowing hens to exhibit their natural behaviours. Hens in battery cages cannot spread their wings, nest, forage, or engage in other essential activities. This confinement leads to immense suffering and a diminished quality of life.