BATTERY HENS (No. 2)

Early day motion 509, tabled 30 March 1999 by Harry Cohen (Labour). Signed by 61 members.

That this House believes that the battery cage system imposes a high degree of suffering on laying hens; is concerned that battery hens are kept in cages so small that they are unable to stretch their wings, let alone move around or peck and scratch at the ground; notes that a 1996 report by the European Commission's Scientific Veterinary Committee concluded that because of its small size and barrenness the battery cage as used at present has inherent severe disadvantages for the welfare of hens; welcomes the fact that in January 1999 the European Parliament voted decisively for the battery cage to be phased out throughout the European Union by 2009; and urges Her Majesty's Government to take the lead in persuading the European Union's Council of Agriculture Minister to agree to the EU-wide phase-out of battery cages called for by the European Parliament.

Signatures by party: Labour 43, Liberal Democrat 9, Labour/Co-operative 6, Conservative 2, Unknown 1.