Free-range eggs outsell those from caged birds, according to industry estimates.
Martin Hickman
The Independent
February 6, 2012
Twenty years ago free-range eggs were rarely bought but for the first time this year they will outsell those from caged birds, according to industry estimates.
Of the 9 billion eggs laid in the UK in 2012, 49 per cent will come from free-range hens allowed to roam outdoors, compared with 48 per cent from hens cooped up in cages. A further 3 per cent come from “barn” hens that wander around indoor sheds, according to the British Egg Industry Council.
Animal welfare groups say there has been a quiet revolution in shopping habits since 1995, when 86 per cent of British eggs came from battery cages.
Although barren battery cages were banned by the European Union on 1 January, their replacement, “enriched” cages, contain perches and litter for pecking and scratching, but give each hen only 750cm squared – little more than a sheet of A4 paper.
Some farmers using battery cages are thought to have left the business in recent months rather than invest in “enriched” cages, further tilting the balance in favour of free-range.
Comment
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Comment by TommyD on February 6, 2012 at 6:38pm
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The best way to be sure is to go straight to the source. I guess living in the country has certain advantages over living in large municipalities. I can walk less than two miles and get pretty much any organic veggie I want. Eggs as well.
My grampa raised chickens, turkey and geese while I was growing up. He also had one helluva veggie garden. He had one or two cows at most of the time as well. Fresh, healthy food was always on the table it seemed. I know from my own experience, living in the country is a lot healthier than living in the city.
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Comment by Cryptocurrency on February 6, 2012 at 5:24pm
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I won't buy organic meat unless it has a telephone number on it and an address. Same thing with cage-free eggs.
Lol vernon.
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Comment by Nikki on February 6, 2012 at 5:13pm
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@Hugh, I've thought about that too. Many free-range brands have the name of the farm the eggs came from printed on the carton. Do some research on that farm and if it's not too far away, pay them a surprise visit.
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