Pru Elliott
A petition asking the Government to ban cages once and for all has amassed 65K signatures in just two weeks. However, the government has issued a highly disappointing response.
Earlier this month, we joined forces with a host of animal protection organisations to back a parliamentary petition calling on the Government to ban the use of cages for UK farm animals, once and for all.
In just a couple of weeks, the petition reached over 65,000 signatures. At 100,000 signatures the petition will be considered for a parliamentary debate, making it an issue the Government cannot ignore.
However, when the petition reached 10,000 signatures, the Government released a highly disappointing and misleading response.
Shockingly, the Government's response suggests that 'good stockmanship'—how well the farm is managed—is more important than the farming system being used. No matter how good stockmanship is, a cage is a cage. Animals will never be able to live a life worth living in such cruel, restrictive systems. The Government even goes so far as to say that there is a lack of clear scientific evidence that cages are detrimental to animal health and welfare when, in fact, there is a huge amount of very strong evidence and scientific literature to show that systems like so-called 'enriched cages' for laying-hens are extremely detrimental to their welfare.
This petition aims to trigger an informed debate in Parliament but, for that to happen, MPs and the public must have access to accurate information. It is essential we maintain pressure on this issue and bring about a meaningful, informed debate.
Animals deserve better. So please help keep the pressure on the Government by signing the petition today.
