22 March 2005

Consumers urged to love chicks at Easter

A new consumer-focused campaign led by animal advocacy organisation SAFE and the national retail franchise The Body Shop is being launched this week to coincide with Easter. The campaign seeks mandatory egg labelling on trays and cartons sold in New Zealand.

A petition addressed to the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Judith Tizard, calls for eggs to be labelled according to production method in an effort to gain clarity over which eggs are cruelly produced by hens in battery cages.

SAFE Campaign Director Hans Kriek says “The campaign directly challenges marketing initiatives used by battery egg producers that often confuse and mislead consumers who oppose cruel production methods. The Egg Producers Federation is highly defensive when it comes to honest labeling. Egg buying consumers have a right to know if the hens that laid the eggs have suffered. If the EPF has nothing to hide they would not be opposed to honest labelling.”

The Body Shop, a long-term campaign partner against battery hen farming, will use their 23 national stores as the driving force behind the high-profile campaign. Designated action stations and hen rescue supporters packs will be deployed in each store.

“Easter is synonymous with eggs and those adorable, fluffy yellow chicks. It is appalling to consider nearly three million chicks will never experience the freedom of the outdoors. The Body Shop pledged its support against battery cages 11 years ago and since doing so, public response against cruel battery cages has been overwhelming”, says The Body Shop Communications Manager Shelly Mansfield.

“Europe already has mandatory labelling on egg cartons due to consumer demand. Public opposition has also led supermarkets in Europe, South Africa and Australia to voluntarily stop selling battery hen eggs. SAFE expects supermarkets in New Zealand to follow suit as pressure from caring consumers increases,” says Mr Kriek.

ENDS

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