August 23, 2010

US organisation urges cage-free poultry housing

To protect public health, the US poultry sector must take steps to reduce risks on the farm, including moving to cage-free operations, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) says.

A multi-state egg recall this week illustrates the risk to public health of cramming millions of hens in cages so small they can barely move an inch their whole lives, says HSUS, an animal rights protection organisation.

"Factory farms that cram egg-laying hens into tiny cages are not only cruel, but they threaten food safety. According to the best available science, simply by switching to cage-free housing systems, the egg industry may be able to halve the risk of Salmonella for the American public," said Michael Greger, MD director of public health and animal agriculture for the HSUS.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 100,000 Americans suffer egg-borne Salmonella infections every year. An increase in Salmonella infections led this week to a nationwide recall of eggs from Wright County Egg in Galt, Iowa. Every single scientific study published in recent years comparing Salmonella contamination between cage and cage-free operations has found that confining hens in cages significantly increases Salmonella risk.