Help for Europe's hens

Local Lib Dem MEP Bill Newton Dunn has today called for tough action against EU Member States and their egg producers who fail to phase out battery cages before the legal deadline set by the European Commission of 1st January 2012.

Battery hens spend their short lives crammed into small wire cages together with other hens and are allowed less than the space of an A4 sheet of paper.

Today (Thursday 16, 2010), MEPs voted to stick with the EU Commission's plans to phase out battery cages and oppose any attempts by Member States to extend its deadline. MEPs also called for Member States that complied with the legislation to be able to ban imports form others who are producing eggs illegally.

Commenting after his vote on the European Parliament resolution Bill said:

"It is outrageous that some EU Member States have made so little progress towards phasing out cruel battery cages.

"European egg producers have had 10 years to make the transition to the new standards. There is no excuse for extending the deadline.

"In the UK, egg producers have invested millions to comply with the legislation and should not be penalised for raising their animal welfare standards while those in other EU Members States are let off the hook.

"It is time to start naming and shaming those who don't comply with minimum standards for hen welfare and to put in place strict sanctions."