[hen-night]

Iv'e posted this on here as it comes under poultry welfare..... "Food industry experts have warned that egg prices are set to rise dramatically after an EU ban on battery hen cages came into force."

"Since 1 January, all laying hens must be kept in "enriched" cages with extra space to nest, scratch and roost" (and about time too.).

[Goldfinger]

I heard this too yesterday when I was on the allotment.

This may / will hike shop prices, but what will it do to 'over the garden gate' prices?

Could this even benefit them?

[Mrs Bee]

Saw this on the news today but also heard that many of the EU countries just ignore it. A bit like a lot of the EU rules; we Brits, in general, stick to them and others just ignore as it suits.

OH and I decided that even the new rules make for cramped conditions for the hens.

Never used to be that worried about this sort of thing until we had chickens and now it makes me fell really sick at the conditions especially the beak clipping.

[hen-night]

Yes, hit the Brits, totally agree Mrs Ball looks like they have made the cages bigger and stuffed more hens in them.
So everyone will import cheap eggs and cripple our economy even more.

[helens-hens]

Also heard that despite the ban on the original cages already having come into force, there are still a few egg farms illegally using them now in the UK 

[hen-night]

What is DEFRA. doing about this problem if their so committed to the welfare of livestock.

[Tony H]

DEFRA do the same as they usualy do and bury there head in the sand 

[hen-night]

Have to agree Tony H. lay down all these rules and do nothng about it. They dont give a tinkers t... about animal welfare, they just think they do.
Sorry to be so abrupt about this but its the same old story, people getting paid for doing nothing.