Euro-Parliament to vote on battery cages


27 January 1999


Euro-Parliament to vote on battery cages


THE Independent looks at the debate over battery hen cages as the European Parliament considers new legislation.

The European Commission is proposing to give each battery chicken 800cm2 of space, instead of 450cm2 allowed by the current EU directive.

They would also get more headroom, a pole to stand on and a “claw-shortening device” – sandpaper to scratch their claws and keep them short.

The UK, the Netherlands, Germany and Austria will be pressing for big improvements in the battery cage but Spain, France and Greece are expected to vote against.

  • The Independent 27/01/99 page 1 (Wednesday Review)

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