Published 07/07/2011

An historic agreement has been reached in the USA between the Humane Society of the United States and the United Egg Producers whereby both organizations will work together toward federal legislation to eliminate barren battery cages for egg laying hens.

It will also seek to introduce mandatory labelling telling consumers how the eggs were produced. The agreement stops short of banning larger, so-called 'enriched' cages. This would bring the US broadly in line with the European Union position on laying hens, which will see barren battery cages banned from 1st January 2012.

Read the details of the agreement at the HSUS website.

Compassion in World Farming's Chief Executive, Philip Lymbery, says,

"We welcome the news of an agreement that could see an end to barren battery cages in the USA. The overwhelming majority of America's 280 million hens are confined in barren cages that cause great suffering. We believe all egg-laying hens should live cage-free lives, rather than confined in battery cages where they cannot even stretch their wings. This new development, whilst not going far enough, is a significant step in the right direction."

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