Victory for free-range

The European Parliament vote yesterday to phase out the battery egg system for laying hens throughout Europe has been welcomed by the Vegetarian Society. The Society is opposed to the battery cage system and has for many years campaigned for their abolition. For over ten years, the Society's V symbol food labelling scheme has only approved foods containing eggs, if they are free-range. The symbol now appears on almost 2,000 products and is used by over 350 companies. "This is clearly welcome news for vegetarians and everyone interested in animal welfare. Vegetarians are very concerned with the use of battery eggs particularly in vegetarian convenience foods" said Chris Dessent, Head of Public Affairs for The Vegetarian Society. "We hope this vote will lead to a ban throughout the EU. This will ensure that in the future consumers will be able to buy vegetarian foods, safe in the knowledge that they are free from battery eggs. Any manufactures of vegetarian foods still using battery eggs should take the initiative now to change over to free-range." The Vegetarian Society believes the move to phase out the battery cage is long over due and must start immediately. 300 million laying hens will live the entirety of their lives in the confines of the battery cage system, in the UK alone, over the next ten years. "A period of ten years to close down the battery cages is too long to wait. The battery cage is one of the most barbaric and outdated atrocities of animal farming. The phasing out should begin now without delay." An NOP survey by The Vegetarian Society in June 1998 revealed that 80% of consumers prefer to buy food that is cruelty free and good for the environment. For further information please call 0161 925 2000