Greens: 'Inhumane' Film Supports Cage Egg Ban
AUSTRALIA - The ACT Greens say new footage allegedly shot inside the ACT's only battery cage egg farm shows why the practice should be banned in the Territory.ABC reports that the film, released by Animal Liberation and allegedly shot last year, shows hens being mistreated.
The RSPCA says it cannot prosecute the owners because they have not breached animal welfare laws.
Greens MLA Caroline Le Couteur says that is why the Government should support a bill banning cage egg farms.
"What they're currently doing is legal but it isn't humane, that's what we're saying," she said.
"What's happening with cage eggs is unfortunately legal but I think everybody or most people agree this is not a humane way to treat chickens."
But the Government is yet to say if it will support the bill.
Acting Chief Minister Katy Gallagher says it is unlikely the move would achieve much.
"The view is that egg production would just move across the border to where it is allowed," she said.
"It actually wouldn't deliver any net benefit for the chickens involved."
The Greens bill is expected to be debated in the Legislative Assembly next week.