SAFE and locals kicking up a stink over bad eggs

SAFE is joining Patumahoe locals to oppose the proposed building of a caged-hen farm in South Auckland. Craddock Farms has been seeking consent to build the factory farm for the past two years, but has been denied resource consents on the grounds of odour likely to affect its neighbours. The battle returns to the courts on Thursday 26 November, when a hearing is scheduled for Craddock Farms’ appeal at the Environment Court.

With a plan to keep 310,000 hens in cages, it would be one of the largest factory farms in the country. Animal advocacy group SAFE has become involved, saying the cages are one of the worst forms of cruelty.

“We hope the Environment Court will listen to the needs of the local community and animals. The hens’ welfare should come before corporate profit,” says Abi Izzard, campaigns officer. “It makes no sense to be building a colony-cage farm when other countries are already in the process of moving away from these cruel cages.”

Colony cages are difficult to distinguish from conventional battery cages, bar a few cosmetic changes such as perches and a nesting area, and there are not enough of either to cater for the number of hens housed in each cage. The additional space allowance is marginal and the cages still fail to adequately meet the birds’ welfare needs. Each hen on this farm would have only slightly more living space than an A4 sheet of paper.

Protest Details
Environment Court, 41 Federal Street, Auckland
7.45 – 9am on Thursday 26th November.

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