COUNCILS ACROSS THE UK GO CAGE-FREE

Since the launch of the cage-free council campaign in July 2007, over 60 councils have now switched to barn or free-range eggs across part or all of their catering services. Many more are negotiating to make the move.

Central and local government offices combined have great spending power as they employ over 2.5 million staff and most public bodies provide food for their employees and for local contracts such as schools. Therefore the eggs provided by government offices represent the work of hundreds of thousands of hens.

POLITICAL SUPPORT

We are pleased that Defra has recently encouraged public sector bodies to move away from barren battery eggs both as shell eggs and in products containing eggs.

To date, the Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative has in respect of animal welfare achieved very little. Most poultry meat, eggs and pig meat procured by the public sector is derived from animals that have been intensively reared. Compassion in World Farming believes the public sector, when procuring and supplying food and meals, should observe higher standards of animal welfare.

The issue of animal welfare in public spending has also been supported within the House of Commons. Sunderland South MP, Chris Mullin, has tabled a motion calling on public bodies to procure food with higher standards of farm animal welfare. The motion particularly states that battery eggs are no longer appropriate and it has been supported by over 100 MPs.

USE YOUR LOCAL POWER TO MAKE YOUR COUNCIL CAGE-FREE!

With political support and more and more local councils ending the use of eggs from caged hens – we need you to join the campaign in your area.

Compassion in World Farming is celebrating the councils that have made such positive steps by awarding them Good Egg Awards - so let’s add your local council to the celebrations!

CASE STUDY

Hampshire County Council won a Good Egg Award for changing it’s supplier to a local free-range farm.

This move is not only for its staff canteen but also for its schools and care homes. With over 600,000 eggs used annually, this move alone will free over 2200 hens from battery cages every year.

Gary Colbourne, Compassion supporter, successfully lobbied Hampshire County Council.

"Hampshire County Council is very proud indeed to win a Good Egg Award. It really highlights the importance we place on providing sustainable healthy school meals and supporting the rural economy.”

Councillor Michael Woodhall, Executive Member for Economic Development, Hampshire County Council