Both organisations have agreed to work together toward federal legislation to eliminate barren battery cages for egg laying hens.

It will also seek to introduce mandatory labelling telling consumers how the eggs were produced.

The agreement stops short of banning larger, so-called 'enriched' cages. This would bring the US broadly in line with the European Union position on laying hens, which will see barren battery cages banned from 1 January 2012.

Compassion in World Farming's Chief Executive, Philip Lymbery, commented: "We welcome the news of an agreement that could see an end to barren battery cages in the USA. The overwhelming majority of America's 280 million hens are confined in barren cages that cause great suffering. We believe all egg-laying hens should live cage-free lives, rather than confined in battery cages where they cannot even stretch their wings. This new development, whilst not going far enough, is a significant step in the right direction."

Further Reading

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You can view details of the agreement between HSUS and UEP by clicking here.

Further Reading

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Go to our previous news item on this story by clicking here.