Battery Hens

EDM number 150 in 1997-98, proposed by Harry Cohen on 19/06/1997.

That this House is appalled that the vast majority of eggs still come from battery hens; is concerned that these birds are kept in cages so small that they are unable to stretch their wings, let alone move around or peck and scratch at the ground; notes that battery hens are prevented from performing most of their natural functions and, for example, they cannot perch, dustbathe or build a nest in which to lay their eggs; is concerned that due to lack of exercise hens' bones become weak and brittle, leading to many battery hens sustaining broken bones by the time they come to be slaughtered; notes that a 1996 report by the European Commission's Scientific Veterinary Committee concluded that because of its small size and barrenness, the battery cage used at present has inherent severe disadvantages for the welfare of hens; and urges Her Majesty's Government to do all it can to persuade the United Kingdom's European Union partners to prohibit the useof the battery cage throughout the EU during the forthcoming review of the EU Directory on Battery Hens.

This motion has been signed by a total of 111 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.