It's Time to Ban the Battery Cage

For the millions of hens confined in battery cages unable even to spread their wings, 2010 should be a year of hope.

The 'Code of Practice' that permits this cruelty is meant to be scheduled for government review this year, which would very likely have led to a decision to phase out the battery cage. Despite a written commitment by government in the current Code to review it in 2010, no review has been programmed.

Australia is already behind EU developments where a decision was made in 1999 that the battery cage would be banned from 2012. The EU decision was based on comprehensive scientific evidence that presented an indisputable argument that the battery cage should be banned. A recent national survey showed that 86% of Australians believe that the battery cage is cruel.

As the Australian government will inevitably give producers a phase out time it is crucial that the Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC) keeps its commitment to review the poultry code this year so that battery cages will be banned as soon as possible.

11 million hens need your help to call on the PIMC to fulfil their commitment and schedule a review of the Poultry Code this year, and importantly, to announce a ban on the battery cage.

Take Action!

Subject: (please enter a subject line) Dear Decision Maker, (please edit the letter below, or send as-is) I write to ask you as a member of the Primary Industries Ministerial Council to fulfil the written commitment made in the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare or Animals - Domestic Poultry (4th Edition) to review this code of practice in 2010. The current code which was endorsed by PIMC Ministers in 2002 it states, 'This Code of Practice will be further reviewed in 2010, although an earlier review will be implemented if technologies offering significant welfare benefits are available.' A recent Newspoll survey revealed that 86% of Australians believe that the battery cage is cruel. With the EU banning the battery cage from 2012, a failure to review this code this year will ensure that Australia is seen as lagging behind the rest of the world in animal welfare standards. I implore you to fulfil this written commitment to review the Poultry Code of Practice in 2010 and to schedule this important review as soon as possible. Sincerely, Your Name

We will send this letter to:

• Members of the Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC)

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