After seven long years of discussions, new Australian Animal Welfare Standards for Poultry were announced in 2022. Thanks to the extensive literature review by an independent expert panel, the new standards set a deadline to end the use of battery cages—but not until 2036. More recently, the Agriculture Ministers from all states and territories have now endorsed these new standards, but most are yet to commit to a phase-out date when the use of battery cages will end in their region.
Up to 55 million more hens could be forced to suffer in battery cages if hens are confined until 2036. The sooner each state phases them out, the better.
The phase out of battery cages won’t be enforceable until each state and territory passes its own law to implement the national poultry standards. This means we can encourage states to agree to deadlines much sooner than 2036.
Tell state governments to do the right thing and legislate more rapid phase-outs of battery cages.
Do you live in the ACT or the NT? Good news! You don’t have any battery cages in your territory! Please share this with your family and friends so they can take action.
