Humane World for Animals Australia

Urge state ministers to #CantheCage

In July 2023, all states and territories endorsed new national Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry, including a deadline to phase out battery cages for egg laying hens. However, most state governments have not yet legislated the agreed phase-out date. Australia will only become cage-free when state bans are in place.

Hens suffer in cramped wire cages, unable to nest, dustbathe, or forage. They are also prone to painful broken bones due to intensive egg production and lack of space to move. Some egg farmers are trying to delay the phase-out by claiming cages protect hens from bird flu. This is unfounded as bird flu has impacted hens worldwide across all housing systems.

Please tell your state agriculture minister to legislate the agreed phase-out and #CanTheCage as soon as possible.

Note: If you live in the ACT, NT or WA, there are no battery cages, they have already been banned, or they have passed laws to phase them out, so no action is needed.

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{contact_data~title} {contact_data~firstName} {contact_data~lastName} {contact_data~suffix},
{contact_data~organization}

Dear {contact_data~salutation}{contact_data~lastName}

Australia is falling behind much of the world in ending the use of battery cages. More than 75% of OECD countries have already outlawed or are phasing them out. In 2023, Australia endorsed new national Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry, including an agreed phase-out of battery cages by 2032–2036.

Several jurisdictions and major retailers have already committed to going cage-free ahead of the 2036 deadline. WA has legislated a phase-out, the ACT banned battery cages in 2014, and other states are progressing towards implementation.

Battery cages cause serious harm to hens. They are confined in cramped wire cages, unable to nest, dustbathe, or forage, and are prone to painful broken bones due to lack of space to move freely.

Public support for ending battery cages is clear. I respectfully ask that you enact the poultry standards into state law as soon as possible and legislate a battery cage phase-out date to bring an end to these cruel and outdated cages.

Yours sincerely,
{user_data~First name}

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