Local councils are leading the way in animal welfare, with three more NSW councils banning caged eggs in recent weeks. Holroyd and Cessnock councils have implemented an outright ban, while Hornsby council has a new policy to use free-range eggs ‘wherever possible’. 

These councils join a growing list, including the City of Sydney, Randwick and Marrickville councils in NSW, and Hobart, Launceston and Clarence councils in Tasmania, who have banned caged eggs from being used for council functions.  

Eggs produced in the cage system come from hens who are allocated a space the equivalent of an A4 piece of paper in which to live. In these small cages, hens are unable to exercise the bulk of their natural behaviours such as preening, nesting and even stretching their wings. Studies have shown that chickens are highly social animals with complex cognitive abilities, and they experience significant physical and psychological pain from their confinement in cages.

Recently Voiceless supported the efforts of Cherie Burton MP in the NSW state parliament, to enter the issue of caged eggs into parliament as a ‘matter of public importance’. In South Australia, Ian Hunter MLC also made a speech about free range eggs. Movement and awareness on this issue is beginning at the state level, and Voiceless calls on state governments, as well as other local councils, to follow the example of those councils who have already banned caged eggs in the interests of animal protection.

Voiceless applauds the efforts of these councils for their stand against cruelty. The best way to help animals is to stop consuming meat, eggs and dairy altogether, but if you do eat animal products, try to cut down on the amount you eat and always choose accredited free-range or certified organic products.

For more information about the lives of caged hens, please see the Voiceless battery hen fact sheet. If you are a university student, please follow this link for information about how to run a cage-free campaign.

If you become aware of any other councils that have adopted a cage-free policy, please let us know.

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