Cage hens trapped for 5 years

By ANNE BESTON

Battery-farming hens is here to stay, even though it is probably illegal, say the Government's animal welfare advisers.

But they have called for cage sizes to be increased in area by the equivalent of two credit cards.

A leaked copy of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee's draft code on battery hen farming, to be signed by Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton this month, recommends that cages of less than 550sq cm be phased out by 2014.

But it defers for at least five years any decision on banning caged hen farming.

"It really is a sick joke," said Green Party MP Sue Kedgley.

In its report on the hen code, written after five years of discussion and consultation, the committee said current cage sizes "do not meet the obligations of the [Animal Welfare] act since they provide a barren and unrewarding environment" for the hen.

The act says animals must be able to express their natural behaviour.

But it was unable to recommend phasing out battery hen farming until it could be shown new systems were "economically viable".

The SPCA said the recommendations in the draft code were "derisory".

"Nawac has condemned yet more generations of hens to live out their short, unhappy lives in truly hellish conditions," said acting national chief executive Jenny Prattley.

In Parliament yesterday, Ms Kedgley drew laughter when she asked Mr Sutton whether he would prefer being a battery hen or a free- range one.

Mr Sutton replied he would have to consult Ms Kedgley on how it felt to be a hen, and said he would not comment on the final draft of the layer hen code because he had not yet seen it.

A spokesman for Save Animals from Exploitation, which leaked the draft, said the committee was spineless.

"Public opinion is overwhelmingly opposed to battery cages," said Hans Kriek, referring to a Colmar Brunton poll in 2002 that found 79 per cent of those polled were opposed to caged hens.

The organisation would immediately seek a legal review of the code if Mr Sutton signed it.

Poultry Industry Association spokesman Michael Brooks said the final code on battery hen farming was yet to be drafted, so it was too early to comment.

"People are making comments and judgments on something that is not a final position."

Battery hen battle

92 per cent of New Zealand's three million laying hens live in battery cages smaller than an A4-sized piece of paper

Battery farming produces more than 90 per cent of New Zealand's eggs

Free-range hens make up 4.5 per cent of the industry

New Zealanders eat about 216 eggs each a year