More Canadians favouring free range eggs

A recent poll showed that 63% of Canadians indicated they would support a legislative ban on battery cages in their province, an increase from a similar poll in 2007.

The survey commissioned by the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) also found that 72% of Canadians are willing to pay more for farm animal products that are certified humane, while 54% are willing to pay a higher price for cage-free eggs.

However, 81% believe that farmers take good care of their animals, and 62% think that animals are treated humanely in the process of producing food.

Canadians are ignorant of farming techniques in the country, thinking that factory farming is only a minority in Canada's poultry industry, according to VHS director Leanne McConnachie.

Around 90% of all Canadian hens are kept in cages.