University of N.H. Dining Facilities Launch a Cage-Free Egg Policy

WASHINGTON—Today, the nation's largest animal protection organization announced another success in the effort to end one of the most abusive practices in animal agribusiness.  The University of New Hampshire (UNH) is phasing out its use of eggs from caged birds, a move that The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) praised as a positive step for animal welfare.

UNH's University Hospitality Services has agreed to eliminate the use of eggs from caged birds from its shelled eggs at the beginning of the spring 2006 semester.  UNH has also pledged to only purchase eggs from sources that meet the animal care standards of Humane Farm Animal Care, an independent farm animal welfare certifying organization.  The school's dining halls, conferences, catering, and New England Center hotel currently use approximately 250,000 eggs per year.

The HSUS provided UNH with information about a local cage-free egg producer.  HSUS Factory Farming Campaign Manager Paul Shapiro commended the move, stating, "The University of New Hampshire has taken a leadership role in animal welfare by phasing out the sale of eggs from caged birds.  We applaud their efforts to help reduce animal suffering and encourage other schools to follow suit."

"Our students and customers are increasingly aware of how their food is raised or produced," said University Hospitality Services assistant director Rick MacDonald. "Moving to Certified Humane cage-free eggs complements our efforts to serve local and sustainable food when possible."

The college joins a growing list of schools refusing to use eggs from caged birds. Dozens of schools have enacted policies to eliminate or greatly reduce the use of eggs from caged hens, including Marist College, Vassar College, University of Rochester, George Washington University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and American University. 

In the United States, approximately 95 percent of eggs sold come from hens confined in barren "battery cages," wire enclosures so small the birds can't even spread their wings or engage in many other natural behaviors, such as nesting, foraging, perching, and dust bathing. The cages are stacked one on top of another inside huge warehouses on factory farms. Each bird is afforded less space than a single sheet of paper on which to live, leading to extremely high levels of stress and frustration.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with over 9 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research, and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The non-profit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives across the country. On the web at hsus.org.