Germany New Cage System draws protests

Animal rights protesters began a hunger strike in Berlin on Wednesday 27th August to highlight their opposition to Germany's laws on cage rearing of layer hens.

Two members of the 'Berlin-Vegan' organisation, sponsored by the 'Albert Schweitzer Foundation for our Common World', took up residence in a cage outside the ministry of agriculture building. They intend to stay there for at least a week. Germany's federal government decided in 2006 to allow larger, small group cages to be used for egg production, reversing a decision by the previous government to outlaw all cage production systems.

However, animal welfare groups say the new cages are still not welfare-friendly. The ministry of agriculture rejected accusations of animal cruelty. "We stand by what we have decided," said spokeswoman Ulrike Hinrichs. The new cages are the best solution, she claimed.

Conventional battery cages will be outlawed in Germany at the end of 2008, or in exceptional cases at the end of 2009. The new cages will give each hen an area of at least 800-900 square centimetres (depending on weight), compared with 550cm2 in the present system.

According to the Albert Schweitzer Foundation, the changeover will result in around two thirds of Germany's 30 million layer hens continuing to be kept in inappropriate housing. (PN)