Battery hens to stay

Egg farmers will be allowed to continue using the battery hen system, Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton has said.

Mr Sutton today released two new codes of animal welfare for controversial species, farmed pigs and layer hens, which contain few concessions to a vocal lobby of animal welfare activists.

He said egg farmers could continue putting their hens in battery cages. Caged hens produce 92 per cent of the country's eggs.

"The science on layer hen systems is unclear," Mr Sutton said in a statement. "The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) have made it clear that, reluctantly, they feel they cannot recommend abolition of cage systems until they can be confident that this would result in improved welfare for hens," he said.

The new codes for pigs and layer hens come into force on January 1, and cover all types of pig production - both indoor and outdoor - and all types of egg production - caged, barn, and free range.

The pig and layer hen codes are the last of the six previous codes carried over from the previous animal welfare legislation.

Mr Sutton said NAWAC would review all scientific literature on battery hens in five years, and then make a decision on whether or not conventional cages should continue.

Also, an economic analysis was being carried out to find determine independently whether it would be economically viable to get the industry to increase cage sizes more quickly.

"If this review indicates the need for change, I will be discussing it with the industry and NAWAC, and could amend the code."

Mr Sutton said the layer hen code was a difficult one for NAWAC to decide: "Farming chickens is not easy, whatever system you use. They require intensive care."

In pig farming, where the main area of controversy has been the use of sow stalls, and by the start of 2015 the maximum permitted confinement will be 4 weeks after mating.

Changes required by the new code include new minimum sizes of cage. In addition, forced moulting will only be permitted if replacement birds are not available, and food and water may only be withheld for a maximum of 24 hours.

Beak trimming, where carried out, can only be carried out within 10 days after hatching except where there are outbreaks of cannibalism. Beak trimming can only be carried out by trained operators.

Egg farmers must have daily inspections to remove sick, injured or dead birds.

In pig farming, the main area of controversy has been the use of sow stalls, and by the start of 2015 the maximum permitted confinement will be 4 weeks after mating.

- NZPA