Signs of Vindication in Exposing the Truth About Eggs Produced by Caged Layers

For over a year, we have repeatedly focused on the truth behind caged layers in newspaper Op-Ed’s and in personal communication with the CEO’s of major retailers and fast food chains in the nation. On May 3rd, we purchased access to a wire service for a press release and was published on 193 websites, with a total audience of 88,980,192. The release (see website below) generated 99 release views, 66 are directly from our PR Newswire.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-trend-toward-cage-free-eggs-is-based-on-misinformation-300261105.html?tc=eml_cleartime

The New York Times article on July 16th is resonating with other news sources including FOX News which called us for more information on cage-free egg production. So after nearly a year of refuting the misinformation generated by HSUS, and their pressure on nearly 175 food companies to change their policy of sourcing only cage-free eggs, we are seeing signs of vindication. In responding to FOX News, we stated the reasons for fighting this trend is because of the claims that cage-free improves hen welfare and egg quality. These premises are false. We added that those consumers who want cage-free should be able to purchase them, but so should those consumers who simply want a safe, wholesome egg at a reasonable price that provides scientifically sound animal welfare practices.

Recalling the article in the July 16th New York Times, it reported on the trend toward cage-free is not without its problems:

The NYT reported that
? All that newfound freedom [cage-free] can introduce health risks for hens, workers and consumers. The Coalition for Sustainable Egg Supply, a group of animal welfare scientists, academics, egg farmers and big companies, recently released a report documenting several troubling aspects of aviary systems. (The group is backed both by egg producers, which have little incentive to change their ways, and food companies that have pledged to go cage-free.)
? Perhaps most troubling, “hen mortality was much higher in the aviary system,” the report said. When hens move around more freely, it is easier for them to spread germs. And hens in cage-free aviaries were also more aggressive than their cage-bound peers, pecking at one another and, in some instances, becoming cannibalistic.

On July 18th Food Dive also published a report on cage-free egg production vindicating our claims.

? Sourcing 100% cage-free eggs has become a popular trend among food manufacturers that use eggs in their products. But aviaries, the most common industrial cage-free alternative for housing egg-laying hens, bear their own risks and problems for the hens, employees and the environment, according to a new report from the Coalition for Sustainable Egg Supply.
? In aviary systems, hen mortality is higher than traditional battery cages because it is easier for the hens to spread germs. Hens in this environment also tend to become more aggressive, including pecking at one another or even becoming cannibalistic.
? Aviaries can also increase health risks for employees who care for the hens and collect the eggs. This included being exposed to higher ammonia concentrations, dust levels and particulate matter emissions in the air, which can cause respiratory issues for workers.

It’s not time to relax, thinking the fight for truth is over. But this little “victory” spurs us on to greater efforts to vindicate conventional cages in producing a safe, wholesome egg while providing proven welfare for today’s egg-producing chickens.