Delaware House Ag Committee Holds Hearing on One of Factory Farming’s Worst Abuses

DOVER, Del. — Delaware's House Agriculture Committee is holding a hearing today on a measure prohibiting one of the most abusive practices in factory farming: confining egg-laying hens in tiny battery cages so small the birds can't spread their wings.

The bill, H.B. 95, would provide the most basic protection for the state's egg-laying hens: enough room merely to spread their wings. The Humane Society of the United States urged the committee to approve the important measure. HSUS Factory Farming Campaign Communications Director Erin Williams is providing testimony at the hearing.

The hearing will occur during the first Delaware Week for the Animals, a week-long event celebrating animals and promoting their protection in which shelters, rescue groups, humane organizations and Delaware citizens will be participating.

"The Humane Society of the United States commends Representative Maier and Senator Peterson for working to help discourage one of the worst factory farm abuses," commented Williams. "Allowing hens enough room to merely spread their wings is a modest and common-sense initiative, and we urge the House Agriculture Committee to quickly pass this bill."

Delaware State Representative Pamela Maier (R-21) and Senator Karen Peterson (D-9) introduced the bill. According to Sen. Peterson, "The vast majority of Delaware's chicken farmers don't confine their birds in cages so overcrowded that they can barely move. However, some of our state's egg-laying hens do suffer this cruel and inhumane fate, and this must come to an end."

Facts

• U.S. factory farms confine approximately 280 million hens in barren battery cages that are so small, the birds can't even spread their wings. Each bird has less space than a single sheet of paper on which to live for more than a year before she's slaughtered.
• While cage-free does not mean cruelty-free, cage-free hens generally have 250-300 percent more space per bird and are able to engage in more of their natural behaviors than are caged hens. Cage-free hens may not be able to go outside and may have parts of their beaks cut off, but they are able to walk, spread their wings, and lay their eggs in nests—all behaviors permanently denied to hens confined in battery cages.

Timeline

• April 2008— An anti-cruelty ballot initiative, The Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act, qualifies for California's November general election ballot. The measure would simply require that some farm animals have enough room to turn around and extend their limbs.
• February 2008— Safeway announces a far-reaching animal welfare program, including a purchasing preference for cage-free eggs.
• December 2007— Compass Group, the world's largest food service provider with over 7,500 U.S. clients, begins phasing out cage eggs.
• March 2007— Burger King announces that it has started phasing in cage-free eggs in its North American locations.
• March 2007— Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck announces that he will no longer use cage eggs.
• September 2006— Ben & Jerry's announces that it will phase out cage eggs in its ice creams.
• May 2005— Whole Foods Market announce that they have ended sales of cage eggs.
• November 2003— The Better Business Bureau rules that it is misleading to label eggs from battery-caged hens as "Animal Care Certified."

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.