[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Ban Battery Hen Vote Defeated_N McKim MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

LABOR & LIBERAL VOTE TO DEFEAT GREENS MOVE TO BAN BATTERY HEN FARMING

Nick McKim MP
Greens Opposition Leader

Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today described the defeat of their Animal Welfare
(Ban Battery Hens) Amendment Bill 2008, voted down by both the Labor and
Liberal parties as a cruel blow for Tasmania's animal welfare
reputation, and one that will continue to condemn thousands of hens to a
cruel existence.

Greens Opposition Leader and Animal Welfare spokesperson Nick McKim MP
said that the vote to defeat the Bill flies in the face of overwhelming
community sentiment that was demonstrated by a petition signed by 23,
000 signatures calling for an end of this practice, one of the largest
petitions ever received in the Tasmanian Parliament. 

"Battery hen farming is cruel and does not meet community expectations,
and it is very disappointing that the Parliament failed to stand up and
ban the practice in Tasmania," Mr McKim said.

"Battery Hen farming is not only cruel, it is also dumb politics and
dumb economics." 

"Today's vote against the Greens move to ban battery hen farms is a vote
by Labor and Liberal to continue to legitimise the unreasonable and
unnecessary cruelty of this industry, and reveals that both these
parties have blocked their ears to the demands of 23, 000 Tasmanian
citizens."

"Additional to the animal welfare concerns that have been exposed over
and over again in relation to battery hen farming, there are also
serious public health concerns that recent serious Salmonella outbreaks
have highlighted that furthers the argument that this form of egg
production should cease."

"Labor and Liberal have voted to continue to turn a blind eye to these
animal welfare and human health concerns, and a deaf ear to the growing
calls of the community that enough is enough, and 23, 000 Tasmanians no
longer want to be associated with this cruel practice."

"The Greens in this year's Alternative Budget Statement allocated $2
million to a Poultry Industry Transition package, plus an additional
$750, 000 to Cruelty Free Eggs Brand Promotion, to assist operators to
close down battery farms."


 




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