His Holiness the Dalai Lama advocates humane treatment of hens
[Wednesday, 1 September 2010, 9:56 p.m.]
Dharamshala:
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed deep concern over the cruelty
of confining egg-laying hens in tiny cages in factories and appealed to
people to switch to cage-free eggs.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed deep concern over the cruelty
of confining egg-laying hens in tiny cages in factories and appealed to
people to switch to cage-free eggs.
“The
abuse we inflict on hens has always been particularly disturbing to me,
and I have always been particularly concerned toward how these animals
are treated in industrial food production. I was troubled to learn from
my friends at the humane society of the United States about the
practice of confining egg laying hens in tiny cages,” His Holiness the
Dalai Lama said in an appeal letter posted on the website of the Humane
Society International.
abuse we inflict on hens has always been particularly disturbing to me,
and I have always been particularly concerned toward how these animals
are treated in industrial food production. I was troubled to learn from
my friends at the humane society of the United States about the
practice of confining egg laying hens in tiny cages,” His Holiness the
Dalai Lama said in an appeal letter posted on the website of the Humane
Society International.
The
animal rights group has launched a campaign against the practice of
factory-style egg farming in which birds are cramped into cages.
animal rights group has launched a campaign against the practice of
factory-style egg farming in which birds are cramped into cages.
“In
these cages, birds cannot engage in their natural behaviours such as
spreading their wings, laying eggs in a nesting area, perching,
stretching at the ground, and even standing on a solid surface. Each
hen has less space to live in than the very sheet of paper I have
written this letter on,” His Holiness said.
these cages, birds cannot engage in their natural behaviours such as
spreading their wings, laying eggs in a nesting area, perching,
stretching at the ground, and even standing on a solid surface. Each
hen has less space to live in than the very sheet of paper I have
written this letter on,” His Holiness said.
“Turning
these defenceless animals into egg-producing machines with no
consideration for their welfare whatsoever is a degradation of our own
humanity. Switching to cage free eggs would reduce the suffering of
these animals,” he said.
these defenceless animals into egg-producing machines with no
consideration for their welfare whatsoever is a degradation of our own
humanity. Switching to cage free eggs would reduce the suffering of
these animals,” he said.
“Tibetans
have a rich history of protecting the most vulnerable in society and
opposing cruelty, which is why it is natural for me to encourage the
change to cage free eggs. Following in this tradition, I hope
compassion and kindness will prevail in this serious matter,” he added.
have a rich history of protecting the most vulnerable in society and
opposing cruelty, which is why it is natural for me to encourage the
change to cage free eggs. Following in this tradition, I hope
compassion and kindness will prevail in this serious matter,” he added.
Countries
like Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Norway have
already banned battery cages that confine hens. Other countries,
including those in the European Union are phasing out battery cages and
there would be a total ban by 2012, IANS reported.
like Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Norway have
already banned battery cages that confine hens. Other countries,
including those in the European Union are phasing out battery cages and
there would be a total ban by 2012, IANS reported.
In
the US, while states like Michigan and California have passed similar
laws to sell cage-free eggs by 2015, agriculture leaders in Ohio have
agreed to a moratorium on the construction of new cage facilities.
the US, while states like Michigan and California have passed similar
laws to sell cage-free eggs by 2015, agriculture leaders in Ohio have
agreed to a moratorium on the construction of new cage facilities.
