24 April 2009

Greens move on battery hens in Canberra

| johnboy
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Mark today down as a red letter day, the Greens have put out a media release!

And it’s a good one too. Caroline Le Couteur has announced that if they get their way the battery farming of chickens in the ACT will come to an end, amongst other things.

    Canberra’s single cage egg farm is Parkwood, which is owned by Australia’s biggest egg producer, Pace Farms. Parkwood is over 25 years old, with fully depreciated infrastructure, and employs fourteen people. It ships its eggs to NSW for packaging and distribution. However, Pace Farms also produces free range and barn laid eggs in other parts of the country.

    Ms Le Couteur’s draft legislation would also require retailers to display cage eggs separately from other eggs, along with signs that describe the egg production method.

    “Providing this information at the point of sale is an important additional step, especially since the ACT can’t ban imported cage eggs, and because egg carton labels are often confusing or misleading”, Ms Le Couteur said. “In a recent survey, 85% of ACT residents said they thought battery cage systems were cruel.”

You can find the proposed legislation online.

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Sigh – thread is making me depressed enough to go back to being vego (was a strict vego in my 20s, but lapsed when pregnant and never quite managed to go back – especially difficult with a rampant carnivore husband). I don’t eat pork products at all – but I do buy the family a free-range (apparently – not so sure any more … might have to follow Woody’s lead and drive to Orange this year) ham each Christmas from the Chisholm butcher. Pork is, by far, the cruelest meat.

Banning things is about the only thing the Greens are good at. However in this case they actually have a logical and factual case rather than the usual emotobabble they generally employ.

On a complete thread skew, anyone have any links on where you can hire a plot of land (UK allotment style) in the ACT for growing your own veges and whatnot?

I’m a bit annoyed. I got soem eggs from Coles, called Sunny Queen, these are barn eggs. anyway, I went to the website to see if there were any pictures, and they are like Pace! They have cage eggs, barn eggs, and free range eggs. Damn it. Back to teh drawing board. I don’t want to buy eggs from people who are still using cage methods for egg production.

As long as consumers are interested in this stuff, there’s some chance that things will change. as poeple learn about how their pig-food is produced, and then also how dairy cows are kept (and where veal comes from), maybe the incentive to change will increase.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy8:43 am 25 Apr 09

I buy free range eggs because I’d be lucky to get through a dozen eggs every few weeks, so the real cost difference is stuff all.

Of course, I have to work a second job as a gay male prostitute to feed my family.

And your number is?

69 dude.

I think it’s fantastic that people are really taking an interest in where their food is coming from, and the cruelties associated with them. Only using certain eggs is a great place to start, because it limits the level of suffering for the hens, but what about male chicks? Often they’re piled in to a bag to suffocate amongst each other, or ground up alive, because they are of ‘no use’. So even when you are buying ‘cruelty free’, your money is still going towards immense levels of suffering.

It’s along the same lines as the suggestion of the picture on the packaging of the conditions of the animal – imagine how this applies to milk, cheese, mince…

If you want to get mad about how pigs are farmed, listen to these radio ads…

http://www.animalsaustralia.org/lucy_speaks/

Woody Mann-Caruso9:44 pm 24 Apr 09

Pigs are already in a legal quagmire. Google for the ‘bred free range’ controversy, and gawp at the ACCC’s ruling that consumers don’t know the difference between that and ‘free range’ and don’t care.

This year I’ll be driving to Orange to get my Christmas ham. That’s how much I don’t care, you ACCC arse clowns.

The business with pigs is awful, and while animals are living in constant misery so the operators (they’re not farmers) can make more bucks we can’t be comfortable as a civilised society.

Concerning ham, bacon and pork products, change begins with posts such as the above which raise awareness in the community; progresses when people reach such a level of disgust that they start asking their supermarket managers about the lack of free-range ham; and then final change ensues either when the purchasing base is strong enough to mandate economic change or such changes can be legislated.

I didn’t even know about battery pigs, although I do now dimly recall some discussion of this in an earlier thread.

Now you have brought the issue to my attention I will treat this the same as I do with the eggs.

Let’s hope pigs will be next. The issue with pigs – ‘sow stalls’ – is just as important as battery hens, they live in horrific conditions, and no offence to chickens, but pigs apparently have the intelligence of a three year old child which in a way makes it all the more unbearable.

Baby steps. Let’s see if people will spend a few extra bucks on eggs first…

There is a company called Otway Pork (RSPCA endorsed) who humanely ‘farm’ pigs. I am not sure exactly where to buy the products, but I think the butcher at Griffith shops would be a good start, apparently all of their meat is humanely produced.

People are starting to worry about pig keeping conditions also. I know a couple of people who won’t eat ham due to the cruelty aspect.

And there are humane ways of keeping chickens. A friend worked on a chicken farm outside of Canberra, and it was lovely, and the chickens were healthy and happy, and outdoors. I wish I could remember the name of it.

I understand the RSPCA supports barn eggs, as chickens are quite happy in this type of environment – many back yard chickens live in a chicken coop.

IGA has heaps of varieties of freerange eggs. I don’t buy Pace, cos I don’t ant to support a business that earns income from battery hens.

Granny said :

Everybody has to make their own choices, but I count a few dollars to be a small cost to stimulate demand for torture-free products.

In most cases it’s not even a few dollars. There’s usually one brand of free range eggs on special.

But it’s not just chickens. Pigs are also kept in batteries – but you don’t see much free range ham or bacon around. You can find it in the pre-packaged stuff but I’ve never seen it at the Woolies deli.

I think it’s just that eggs have all the attention at the moment. Maybe pigs will be next.

I have been to battery and free range farms and don’t really see the advantage of one over the other. Battery chickens are caged tightly which for a human would be very bad. Barn hens have serious pecking order problems to the point of cannibalism. Chickens are the same as other birds and need heaps of territory. My neighbours chicken used to jump the fence to attack and hopefully drive away our chicken (and we both had 1000sqm blocks with a solid fence). There is no way we can give chickens suitable territory and make it economical.
At the end of the day I recommend getting your own hen as the most cruelty free solution. They take about the same amount of maintenance as fish and produce better eggs than the shops.

Granny said :

You know, I believe that consumers of child pornography are just as responsible for the suffering of the child as the perpetrators because they provide the demand for the product.

I can’t see how this is any different. Both involve the suffering of the weak and defenceless at the hands of human greed.

Everybody has to make their own choices, but I count a few dollars to be a small cost to stimulate demand for torture-free products.

Well said Granny.

Hells_Bells74 said :

They had a lot more than 14 people working there back then. Wonder what happened?

I think they bring in extras when it is time to ‘depopulate’ as they call it

monomania said :

Why are there two standards that relate to the treatment of animals. Maybe even more? If a pet was treated like many farm animals those responsible would be charged with the offense of animal cruelty.

Have a look at the first video on the RSPCA website http://www.rspca-act.org.au/pages/page217.asp – Illustrates what you are saying monomania!

You know, I believe that consumers of child pornography are just as responsible for the suffering of the child as the perpetrators because they provide the demand for the product.

I can’t see how this is any different. Both involve the suffering of the weak and defenceless at the hands of human greed.

Everybody has to make their own choices, but I count a few dollars to be a small cost to stimulate demand for torture-free products.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy said :

I buy free range eggs because I’d be lucky to get through a dozen eggs every few weeks, so the real cost difference is stuff all.

Of course, I have to work a second job as a gay male prostitute to feed my family.

And your number is?

Hells_Bells745:21 pm 24 Apr 09

They had a lot more than 14 people working there back then. Wonder what happened?

Hells_Bells745:15 pm 24 Apr 09

I feel bad too, since I consider myself an animal lover and crusader in my own small way from way back and always fought for free-range eggs (my friends owned the Flower Spot (which sold free-range at the Belco Markets) or barn laid when they came out and told others of the horrors of caged hens. But something happened, think I became resentful at the price difference and every little cent counting, found myself buying the damned things, probably 6 years now, oh no that coincides with my ex-boyfriend working there at Pace Farms for the 2 years he came to live here from Melbourne. He used to bring home plenty of eggs. The dumb thing I now had first-hand knowledge of the place. Enough to keep me the Hell away and now I’m eating their eggs more than ever?

Let’s just say.. My ex thankfully worked with the eggs that had been laid and stayed mostly away from the chickens. But one fateful weekend he agreed to help them clear out the old hens (lucky to be 2) ready for the new lot to come in. Oh the horror. They no longer care about the hens welfare, like they ever did 🙁 and they hurt them real bad. My ex was a hardened man, but whilst he was trying to just keep up and help not hinder his workmates he was heartbroken for the poor chooks he realised there was nothing he could do for them, just treat them as good as he could and watch the people who regulary worked with them, bash, maim, kill, squash, crush and jam them in 6 at a time (was meant to be a live haul mind you). He never volunteered again.

See.. You think I would be so dead against eating them. I’m asking myself for some justification, there’s none there.

Why are there two standards that relate to the treatment of animals. Maybe even more? If a pet was treated like many farm animals those responsible would be charged with the offense of animal cruelty.

How many times do you see photos of flocks of bedraggled starving sheep with a story about drought and how tough the times are for the farmer. What about some free range pigs and a ban on feed lots? No there is a different standard for agricultural animals. I dare say life for a free range hen is better than battery but it isn’t as good as appears on a packet of Popes Free-Range.

And what about feral animals and pests. The animal ethics people don’t seem to have much time for them. They can be baited and trapped. Who knows how much suffering occurs with a trapped rabbit before it dies. Or a mouse or a rat that has been baited.

And what about ants? I think that onion might have cried when I cut it yesterday. Or was that me.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy5:07 pm 24 Apr 09

I buy free range eggs because I’d be lucky to get through a dozen eggs every few weeks, so the real cost difference is stuff all.

Of course, I have to work a second job as a gay male prostitute to feed my family.

Ok, eggs-actly, but just this once and don’t let it happen again!!

Pommy bastard4:50 pm 24 Apr 09

Jivrashia said :

Apologies. Link: “Only 2 Free Range Layer farms are accredited…”. Section “Free Range Eggs”, bottom of paragraph.

My thanks for the clarification.

However, the fact that the RSPCA has not “accredited” a free range producer, doesn’t in anyway mean that the free range eggs bought are less than of a standard.

turtle said :

ant said :

On the topic of eggs, does anyone know if any chookeries use 2nd hand egg-boxes? I’ve got a growing tower of egg boxes, as does the family.

Egg sellers at farmers’ market often take them from you – and they give you a discount on the eggs you buy if you trade them an empty carton. I’ve done this at Phillip CIT Farmers’ market before.

Egg-cellent. I’ve got about 30 boxes! I’ll never have to pay for eggs again.

No I am not going to the offal thread. I’m going to look for beer.

Jivrashia said :

Nothing personal. Just the effect of alcohol, or lack of…. I’ll be right after Beer O’clock.

Where’s mine? I’m offended by the complete lack of beer here.

Nothing personal. Just the effect of alcohol, or lack of…. I’ll be right after Beer O’clock.

I’ve been counting down for beer o’clock since about 8 this morning when I got into work!! Bring on the long weekend. Sorry i just went completely off topic.

Jivrashia said :

Granny said :

Nothing personal. Just the effect of alcohol, or lack of…. I’ll be right after Beer O’clock.

Hey, it’s Friday!!

ant said :

On the topic of eggs, does anyone know if any chookeries use 2nd hand egg-boxes? I’ve got a growing tower of egg boxes, as does the family.

Egg sellers at farmers’ market often take them from you – and they give you a discount on the eggs you buy if you trade them an empty carton. I’ve done this at Phillip CIT Farmers’ market before.

turtle said :

deezagood said :

So whilst I strongly support this ACT Green’s initiative, I would hope that they also push for more accurate labling regarding the non-cage-produced eggs too (so that people like me, who think they are doing the right thing, don’t continue to be duped by false advertising).

I think they’re on to this problem. I see they put this bit in the bill (I found this in the discussion paper at: http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/ed/db_34441/default.asp)

“This section requires the Minister to take all reasonable steps to promote a permanent
ban by States and Territories on the keeping of poultry in cage systems, and to take all
reasonable steps include promoting …. revised definitions of key terms in the model code such as ‘cage systems’, ‘barn systems’ and ‘free range systems’ to improve the welfare of poultry”

‘model code’ refers to the ‘model code for the welfare of poultry’ which is where ‘barn’, ‘cage’, ‘free range’ etc is defined.

Very helpful advice – thanks so much.

Jivrashia said :

Nothing personal. Just the effect of alcohol, or lack of…. I’ll be right after Beer O’clock.

Won’t we all!

Granny said :

deezagood said :

I didn’t even notice he/she changed our names Granny – wonder what on earth that is all about?

I suspect you both said something quite wicked and mortally offensive …. Let me know if you find out what it was!

*lol*

Nothing personal. Just the effect of alcohol, or lack of…. I’ll be right after Beer O’clock.

deezagood said :

So whilst I strongly support this ACT Green’s initiative, I would hope that they also push for more accurate labling regarding the non-cage-produced eggs too (so that people like me, who think they are doing the right thing, don’t continue to be duped by false advertising).

I think they’re on to this problem. I see they put this bit in the bill (I found this in the discussion paper at: http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/ed/db_34441/default.asp)

“This section requires the Minister to take all reasonable steps to promote a permanent
ban by States and Territories on the keeping of poultry in cage systems, and to take all
reasonable steps include promoting …. revised definitions of key terms in the model code such as ‘cage systems’, ‘barn systems’ and ‘free range systems’ to improve the welfare of poultry”

‘model code’ refers to the ‘model code for the welfare of poultry’ which is where ‘barn’, ‘cage’, ‘free range’ etc is defined.

deezagood said :

I didn’t even notice he/she changed our names Granny – wonder what on earth that is all about?

I suspect you both said something quite wicked and mortally offensive …. Let me know if you find out what it was!

*lol*

I guess I’d want to know if the chooks are that squished in their shed. Because I suspect that those open sheds are the “barns” that barn-raised chooks are in. I imagine (and hope I’m right!) that the chooks have room to walk in these sheds. They’re not wedged up against each other. We need a chook farmer to come and explain it to us.

On the topic of eggs, does anyone know if any chookeries use 2nd hand egg-boxes? I’ve got a growing tower of egg boxes, as does the family.

Granny said :

You can’t make your point without resorting to juvenile name-calling?

I didn’t even notice he/she changed our names Granny – wonder what on earth that is all about?

Another term that is used is ‘cage-free’

You can’t make your point without resorting to juvenile name-calling?

ant said :

I am happy to buy eggs that are produced by contented chooks. I don’t care about organic etc so much, and think they really should be concentrating on the big issue first: are the hens kept in cruel little cages, or not?

Chooks kept in a big barn where they can scratch around are OK, I think. The RSPCA actually seems to prefer the barn-raised chooks to free range ones that are outside.

I have no preference, just so long as the chooks can walk, have dust, can make nests if they want to, and aren’t crammed into tiny cages on top of one another.

As for where to buy cruelty-free eggs, just about every place I get eggs from has these. Aldi, Coles, Woolies, the butcher shop, the fruit shop, even the grog shop! Lots of local egg growers have shops they sell their stuff through. Coles have many brands of barn and free range, the box I currently have comes from some mob in Queensland.

That’s just the thing Ant; reading about Pace Farms (who supply Aldi et al) on the Choice site suggests that these chooks may not be contented at all. Certainly they wouldn’t have room to make nests or even walk/stretch if they are stuffed into a barn with 1000 other chooks and can’t even find the exit if they want to. Maybe better than cages, but not exactly my idea of ‘free-range’.

deezabad wrote:

deezagood said :

I don’t think they should be permited to use the term ‘free-range’ at all if the chooks are trapped in a massive barn and never see the light of day. How is this even legal????

Unfortunately the world “free-range” isn’t regulated… Something for the Greens to champion.

anteater wrote:

ant said :

cruelty-free eggs

That’s it! Let’s start calling them that ’cause they aren’t really “free-range”.

Great!

: )

I’m onto it Granny (and I agree with your sentiments regarding the greens).

I am happy to buy eggs that are produced by contented chooks. I don’t care about organic etc so much, and think they really should be concentrating on the big issue first: are the hens kept in cruel little cages, or not?

Chooks kept in a big barn where they can scratch around are OK, I think. The RSPCA actually seems to prefer the barn-raised chooks to free range ones that are outside.

I have no preference, just so long as the chooks can walk, have dust, can make nests if they want to, and aren’t crammed into tiny cages on top of one another.

As for where to buy cruelty-free eggs, just about every place I get eggs from has these. Aldi, Coles, Woolies, the butcher shop, the fruit shop, even the grog shop! Lots of local egg growers have shops they sell their stuff through. Coles have many brands of barn and free range, the box I currently have comes from some mob in Queensland.

You should write to them, or make an appointment to talk to them. In the few dealings I have had with them, I have found them to be very approachable and caring.

So whilst I strongly support this ACT Green’s initiative, I would hope that they also push for more accurate labling regarding the non-cage-produced eggs too (so that people like me, who think they are doing the right thing, don’t continue to be duped by false advertising).

I actually feel quite outraged by the Pace Farm information … I thought products branded ‘free range’ meant exactly that – the birds were free(ish) to roam about etc… but apparently this isn’t the case at all. I don’t think they should be permited to use the term ‘free-range’ at all if the chooks are trapped in a massive barn and never see the light of day. How is this even legal????

Good on you, Greens! This is a great initiative!

: )

We can only hope they are.

Okay thanks guys … (but now that I have been duped by Pace, I will be very suspect regarding the actual free-rangeness (excuse my made-up word) of any eggs at the market or otherwise. Eggs with the RSPCA tick should presumably be the ‘real deal’though.

Woollies do too, because I get RSPCA eggs from the supermarket and I only go to Woolworths…

I have to agree with motleychick, fruit, vege and eggs from the market. Otherwise I think Coles have RSPCA branded free range?

deezagood there are farmers markets on most weekends around Canberra. There is one at Woden CIT that sells fresh farm eggs… I’d assume majority of them would do the same, but that’s the only one I’ve been to.

Sezzle – just read your post; where do you buy your eggs in Canberra?

So now I feel extremely cranky; I have been buying Pace Farm ‘free range’ eggs for years now, stupidly (in hindsight) believing that I was doing the right thing by the poor chooks. So – I checked out some of the links in this post, and it seems that the Pace chooks are certainly not what I would call ‘free range’. This begs the question; where does a Canberran (without farmer friends or an inclination to own chooks of their own) buy ACTUAL free-range eggs (and by free-range, I mean where the chooks have a happy life, see the sunshine, are free to roam and peck etc…)??? Any advice most appreciated.

Lots of farms like Pace have free range and caged. I only buy eggs that I know do not have both, only free range.

#20 – RSPCA also accredit barn laid eggs, I believe.

Shimmy Mustang wrote:

Pommy bastard said :

I see nothing in your link to show that; “Only two egg producers, both in South Australia, are certified as being truely “free range” by the RSPCA.

Apologies. Link: “Only 2 Free Range Layer farms are accredited…”. Section “Free Range Eggs”, bottom of paragraph.

Pommy bastard2:55 pm 24 Apr 09

Jivrashia said :

Crummy Custard wrote

Pommy bastard said :

No thanks, I get enough fairy stories when I read to my children

Sheesh, you’re a stiff skeptic…
Link: RSPCA welfare standards – layer hens

I see nothing in your link to show that; “Only two egg producers, both in South Australia, are certified as being truely “free range” by the RSPCA.

Ralph said :

Another moonbat proposal.

People are already able to choose between caged eggs and barn/whatever eggs. The fact that most people still buy caged eggs reveals their true preference.

This proposal is just another attempt at restraining free enterprise.

I cannot agree that asking producers to make life a little better for the living creatures in their care is ‘restraining free enterprise’. These business don’t have to close, just change the way they operate.

Five freedoms for animals
1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst
By ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour

2. Freedom from Discomfort
By providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area

3. Freedom from Pain, Injury and Disease
By prevention through rapid diagnosis and treatment

4. Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour
By providing sufficient space, proper facilities, and company of the animal’s own kind

5. Freedom from Fear and Distress
By ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering

Cruelty free and truly “free range” (with all that the certification entails) are probably two different things. While I’m happy for people to debate and dither over the definitions of what they feel is truly free range I don’t think there’s any need or place for cruelty, so good on the greens for what they are doing.

ant said :

I think that idea of putting up signs with pictures is a great idea. It really cuts right to the crux of the matter, and people will have to make a real choice, with their eyes open, when they reach for that cheaper box of eggs produced by miserable, tortured chooks.

The price of free range and barn eggs has been coming down recently… I cannot bring myself to buy the Pace non-cage eggs though. Luckily there’s usually lots of other options. I won’t buy Pace eggs.

Out of curiosity – Whats up with Pace eggs?

Ralph said :

Another moonbat proposal.

People are already able to choose between caged eggs and barn/whatever eggs. The fact that most people still buy caged eggs reveals their true preference.

This proposal is just another attempt at restraining free enterprise.

It’s just about setting a standard that says you can’t be cruel to animals (and most people recognise the cruelty of battery cages). If no-one could restrict free enterprise by setting humane standards then we would still have slavery, or we would just use child labour etc.

As for why people still buy cage eggs – I reckon you’ll find that when the cage eggs are clearly labelled, and some info about the cage egg production is given to consumers (the bill requires the signage to say the cage size) then sales will drop off massively. It’ll help a lot when people have the info presented to them clearly at the point of sale.

The ones I usually go for are the RSPCA ones. I’ve heard rumours that they aren’t really free range but I don’t really see how the RSPCA would lie about something like that, especially considering what they stand for.

I think that idea of putting up signs with pictures is a great idea. It really cuts right to the crux of the matter, and people will have to make a real choice, with their eyes open, when they reach for that cheaper box of eggs produced by miserable, tortured chooks.

The price of free range and barn eggs has been coming down recently… I cannot bring myself to buy the Pace non-cage eggs though. Luckily there’s usually lots of other options. I won’t buy Pace eggs.

Choice magazine have an article online http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?id=106393&catId=100286&tid=100008&p=1&title=Free+range+eggs
They list the logos you can trust (page 3 of the article) in regards to free range eggs

The fact that most people still buy caged eggs reveals their true preference.

It has nothing to do with preferance for people, it’s the fact they are cheaper, and when times are tough sometimes people lose their morals in order to survive. The fact that 85% of people think that cage eggs are cruel should be reason enough for them to attempt to drop the price of free range eggs so more people will be willing (and able) to buy them, therefore dropping sales in cage eggs and hopefully eventually fazing them out…

Crummy Custard wrote

Pommy bastard said :

No thanks, I get enough fairy stories when I read to my children

Sheesh, you’re a stiff skeptic…
Link: RSPCA welfare standards – layer hens

FC wrote:

FC said :

That comment was meant in a broader sense and not just to do with eggs.

Yep, gotcha. But I have my doubts about the effect of organic cigarettes…

Ralph said :

Another moonbat proposal.

People are already able to choose between caged eggs and barn/whatever eggs. The fact that most people still buy caged eggs reveals their true preference.

This proposal is just another attempt at restraining free enterprise.

Its not just another attempt at restraining free enterprise. There should be laws in place to stop enterprise that has practices that are cruel to animals anyways.

the fact that people still buy caged eggs may reveal theire true preference, but what this proposal may do, is make that preference a truely imformed one.

I dunno Ralph, the freedom to torture living things for profit seems like a small thing to surrender in any society.

Pommy bastard1:49 pm 24 Apr 09

Ralph said :

People are already able to choose between caged eggs and barn/whatever eggs. The fact that most people still buy caged eggs reveals their true preference.

No, their choice reveals their preference for a cheaper product, either out of necessity or ignorance. If the former then the product does not reflect the cruelty involved in the production cost, if the latter, then they need educating.

Jivrashia said :

Only two egg producers, both in South Australia, are certified as being truely “free range” by the RSPCA. All other that declare they are free range… well… really aren’t. In fact, some may (and I stress the word may as I have no evidence) be harmful to you than caged eggs.

Something to ponder for the day…

No thanks, I get enough fairy stories when I read to my children

Jivrashia.
That comment was meant in a broader sense and not just to do with eggs. Although the eating of eggs that are the result of cruelty was what prompted the thought.

FC said :

I want my body to function well and feel how good it feels to be healthy, then I think so many problems would be resolved.

Hold that thought for a moment.
Phasing out battery farms is aimed to achieve one thing, to be less cruel to the hens. It does not achieve everything.

Michael from RSPCA can probably correct me but as I understand it the “certified” free range eggs require the producers to follow very stringent set of criterias, set down by none other than the RSPCA. For example, one of the criteria is to ensure that the ground where the hens are fenced must be free of chemical (away from fertilisers and other chemicals that are common on a farm).

Only two egg producers, both in South Australia, are certified as being truely “free range” by the RSPCA. All other that declare they are free range… well… really aren’t. In fact, some may (and I stress the word may as I have no evidence) be harmful to you than caged eggs.

Something to ponder for the day…

Another moonbat proposal.

People are already able to choose between caged eggs and barn/whatever eggs. The fact that most people still buy caged eggs reveals their true preference.

This proposal is just another attempt at restraining free enterprise.

johnboy said :

Or, here’s a thought, get tough on truth in advertising and make sure battery eggs are labelled with a picture of a real batter hen…

Watch where the sales go…

I love battered hen.

johnboy said :

Or, here’s a thought, get tough on truth in advertising and make sure battery eggs are labelled with a picture of a real batter hen…

Watch where the sales go…

+ 1

I think the reason why a lot of people eat a lot of products is that they are so far removed from either what the product contains/where it came from/and why they are eating it.

If everytime someone was about the eat something they looked at that food item and thought I can have a clear concious about eating this and I am eating it becuase I want my body to function well and feel how good it feels to be healthy, then I think so many problems would be resolved.

A sad thing that I find with people these days is that a lot of people are so disconnected from their bodies and the things they choose to put in their bodies (including food, toxins etC)

Or, here’s a thought, get tough on truth in advertising and make sure battery eggs are labelled with a picture of a real batter hen…

Watch where the sales go…

Pommy bastard1:12 pm 24 Apr 09

I cannot agree with any form of battery farming, chickens or other. I wish it were mandatory to label foods produced using battery farm sourced eggs.

Woody Mann-Caruso1:02 pm 24 Apr 09

Bring it on.

Hi, CEO of RSPCA ACT Michael Linke here…

One way to help get prices down is encourage businesses, restaurants, cafes and any other users of eggs to join Choose Wisely. With purchasing power the price will come down. Since the campaign started in September 2008 RSPCA has helped convert 2,000,000 eggs annually out of the cage system. Check out http://www.choosewisely.org.au to find out more.

because, as with so many things, people let their hip pocket help them forget about ethics.

In a recent survey, 85% of ACT residents said they thought battery cage systems were cruel

Then it is a crying shame that 75% of ACT residents purchase battery eggs.

If so many people think this production system is cruel, why don’t they signify their disgust by not purchasing the product?

If there wasn’t a market for the eggs, there wouldn’t be the problem, surely?

I only buy free-range, and only then when I don’t have my own girls in my back yard laying for me.

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