New Port Richey Council Passes Resolution Opposing One of Factory Farming's Worst Abuses

The Humane Society of the United States praises council for condemning the confinement of egg-laying hens in tiny cages

WASHINGTON—Last night, the New Port Richey, Fla., City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing one of the most notorious factory farming practices: the intensive confinement of egg-laying hens in tiny wire battery cages.

The resolution states that the council "opposes battery cage egg production, based on the inherent cruelty of confining egg-laying hens in battery cages," and further "encourages consumers of eggs not to purchase eggs produced by caged hens."

Deputy Mayor Marilynn deChant stated, "The City of New Port Richey has a responsibility to provide leadership on social responsibility issues. As part of this commitment, we are pleased to encourage a move away from factory farming abuses such as the confinement of hens in cages where they can't even spread their wings."

The resolution is the first of its kind in Florida condemning the confinement of egg-laying hens in battery cages as cruel and inhumane.

The Humane Society of the United States, the nation's largest animal protection organization with nearly 10 million supporters, praised the New Port Richey City Council for speaking out on such an important animal cruelty issue.

"Few practices are more cruel and inhumane than the confinement of egg-laying hens in battery cages," stated Paul Shapiro, director of the factory farming campaign for The HSUS. "The Humane Society of the United States commends the New Port Richey City Council for sending a message to the egg industry with this resolution that it should begin improving its notoriously poor record on animal welfare, starting with a move toward cage-free production systems."

Facts

• U.S. factory farms confine nearly 300 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. The European Union has banned barren battery cages, effective 2012.
• Major grocery chains such as Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Natural Marketplace have stopped selling cage eggs, while Trader Joe's has done the same with its private line eggs. Bon Appétit Management Company, a major food service company, is phasing out the use of cage eggs in all of its 400 cafés. More than 100 schools across the country have enacted policies to eliminate or greatly reduce their use of eggs from caged hens. Even companies such as AOL and Google have ended the use of cage eggs in their employee cafeterias.
• Other municipalities such as Takoma Park, Md., and West Hollywood, Calif., have passed resolutions condemning battery cages.

Timeline

• January 2007—Burgerville becomes the first restaurant chain to implement an exclusively cage-free egg policy in all of its 39 locations.
• January 2007—West Hollywood, Calif., unanimously passes a bill condemning battery cages and encourages egg consumers to not purchase eggs from caged hens.
• September 2006—Ben & Jerry's announces that it will phase out the use of eggs from caged hens in all its ice creams.
• September 2006—Takoma Park, Md., unanimously passes a bill condemning battery cages and encourages egg consumers to not purchase eggs from caged hens.
• November 2005—In response to an HSUS-led campaign, Trader Joe's announces that its brand eggs will be exclusively cage-free.
• May 2005—Whole Foods Market and Wild Oats Natural Marketplace announce that they have ended sales of eggs from caged hens.
• November 2003—The Better Business Bureau rules that it is misleading to label eggs from battery-caged hens as "Animal Care Certified."

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization—backed by 10 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 www.HumaneSociety.org.