Cage egg phase out in the spotlight with launch of world’s biggest global investigation
The Australian Alliance for Animals has today joined members of the global Open Wing Alliance in calling for faster action on ending battery cages as the world’s biggest investigation into the cruelty of cage egg production is released.
Undercover footage obtained from over 37 countries – including Australia – lays bare the ongoing, systemic suffering of millions of hens confined to battery cages, despite growing global momentum to go cage-free.
The distressing footage shows the miserable lives of egg-laying hens trapped in small, barren wire cages. Deprived of space and stimulation, hens are unable to stretch their wings, perch, dust bathe, forage, or lay their eggs in a nest – all natural behaviours they are highly motivated to perform.
Many show signs of severe physical and psychological stress: feather loss, raw and bleeding skin, prolapsed cloacae, deformed claws, footpad sores, and restricted movement.
Australian footage reveals similarly grim conditions – cages covered in faeces and feathers, and the overcrowded, unenriched cages which deny hens of the ability to express innate behaviours.
Alliance policy director Dr Jed Goodfellow said the footage was a graphic reminder of the need to phase out battery cages without delay.
“Sadly, this is still the reality for nearly 1 in 3 hens in Australia, with scientific evidence confirming that hens in cages suffer from the highest rates of disuse osteoporosis, fatty liver disease, and bone breakages during removal from the cages,
“It’s incredibly distressing to witness such immense suffering, especially in Australia where both the private sector and state governments have pledged to phase out this cruel system.”
Coles, Woolworths and Aldi have each promised customers their supply chains will be cage free by the end of 2025 – a commitment they say they’re on track to meet before the end of the year.
But while supermarkets act, state governments continue to dither. Despite all state and territory agriculture ministers agreeing to phase out battery cages in new national standards agreed in 2023, only Western Australia has taken the step of implementing the changes in law.
“This lack of action is not only compounding the suffering of millions of animals, .
it’s hurting consumers, creating uncertainty within the industry and inflating the price of eggs,” Dr Goodfellow said.
“State governments, particularly Queensland, NSW and Victoria, where the majority of egg production occurs, have a responsibility to act,
“They endorsed the standards, they were publicly applauded for doing so, now it’s time for them to follow through.”
BACKGROUND
The world’s largest egg investigation includes footage from over 37 countries:
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, México, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United States, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe
The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry include a phase out of battery cages between 2032-2036 based on the age of the cages
The standards were endorsed at the Agriculture Ministers Meeting on 13 July 2023
Cage eggs made up 15.7% of the value and 19.7% of the volume of supermarket egg sales in the 2023/24 FY
77% Australians support a phase out of battery cages, RSPCA
Over 75% of OECD nations have regulated a phase out of battery cages
NOTES FOR MEDIA
Media contact: media@allianceforanimals.org.au | 0407 237 492
Dr Goodfellow is available for interviews:
Dr Jed Goodfellow leads the Alliance’s law and policy reform agenda. He has over 20 years’ experience in animal welfare law, policy and advocacy. He completed his PhD in animal welfare regulation in 2015.
About the Australian Alliance for Animals
The Australian Alliance for Animals is a national charity leading a strategic alliance of Australia’s key animal protection organisations with a combined supporter base of over 2 million people. Core members include Animals Australia, Humane World for Animals Australia, World Animal Protection Australia, Compassion in World Farming, FOUR PAWS Australia, and Voiceless, the animal protection institute. Website: www.allianceforanimals.org.au.