PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
BATTERY HENS (1 February 1999)

That this House is appalled that the vast majority of eggs still come from battery hens; is concerned that these birds are kept in cages so small that they are unable to stretch their wings, let alone move around or peck and scratch at the ground; notes that battery hens are prevented from performing most of their natural behaviours such as perching, dustbathing or building a nest in which to lay their eggs; is concerned that due to lack of exercise the hens' bones become weak and brittle, leading to many battery hens sustaining broken bones by the time they come to be slaughtered; notes that a 1996 report by the European Commission's Scientific Veterinary Committee concluded that because of its small size and barrenness, the battery cage as used at present has inherent severe disadvantages for the welfare of hens; urges Her Majesty's Government to take the lead in persuading the United Kingdom's European Union partners to agree to an EU-wide phase-out of battery cages during the current negotiations on the proposed EU Directive on the welfare of laying hens; welcomes recent proposals by the European Commission; and urges the Government to press for this phase-out date to be brought forward.

Sponsored by:
Harry Cohen (Labour)