In January 2012, the European Union’s ban on the use of barren wire
battery cages for egg-laying hens took effect – and the impact seems to
ruffling the feathers of many retailers concerned about the rising cost of eggs. In fact, egg
prices have quadrupled in some markets in EU due to a shortage in supply.
VegWeek 2012 Kicks Off on April 23 – Take the Veg Pledge!
If you’ve thought about eating more vegetarian or vegan foods but aren’t sure where to start, then mark your calendar for Monday, April 23 — that’s when the fourth annual VegWeek celebration kicks off!
Pork Council Shuts out COK from “Animal Welfare Briefing” on Capitol Hill – What do they have to hide?
Earlier today, the National Pork Producer’s Council (NPPC) hosted an “educational” briefing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC titled “Farm Animal Welfare: How We Really Treat Our Animals.” Only thing is, the NPPC’s presentation — just like the factory farms that dominate the pork industry — was hidden behind closed doors.
COK Serves Up Six-Foot Vegan Subs for Meatout in DC and LA
March 20 is the first day of spring. It’s also the Great American Meatout, making it the perfect opportunity to encourage others to turn over a new leaf by choosing healthier and more humane foods. And COK sprang into action by hosting feed-ins during the busy lunchtime rush hour in Washington, DC and Los Angeles encouraging Subway, the world’s largest restaurant chain, to add more vegan options.
Hen Protection: The Meat Industry’s Problem With Federal Hen Protection Bill
Earlier this year, Rep. Kurt Schraeder (D-OR, and the only veterinarian in the Congress) introduced the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments (HR 3798) that outlines a ban on the use of barren battery cages on egg factory farms nationwide. In addition to providing hens with more living space and environmental enrichments such as perches, nesting areas, and scratching areas so hens can engage in more natural behaviors, it also mandates that all egg cartons sold in the U.S. include a label that clearly identifies the method of production (i.e. “Eggs from Caged Hens”).
Ask Dunkin’ to Have a Heart for Animals
Dunkin’ Donuts is the world’s largest coffee and baked goods chain
serving more than three million customers daily. It offers over 65 varieties of doughnuts — including two heart-shaped specials for Valentine’s Day: Cupid’s Choice and a Chocolate Heart.
Sounds like a sweet deal, until you discover that these heart-shaped specials along every other doughnut dished out by Dunkin’ are made with egg and dairy products from
factory-farmed animals.
US Supreme Court Guts CA Law to Help Injured and Sick Pigs
Last November, we told you about a case being heard in the U.S. Supreme Court about whether or not California could enforce a state-level law to protect slaughter-bound pigs who were too sick or injured to walk. This law requires the humane euthanasia of “nonambulatory” or “downed” pigs, preventing them from being poked, prodded, or otherwise forced through the slaughter line. While federal law prevents the slaughter of “downed” cows, California is the only state to extend these protections to pigs.
Take Action: Urge Congress to Pass First Federal Law Protecting Egg Laying Hens
Currently in the US, more than 250 million egg-laying hens are suffering inside tiny wire cages so small, they’re denied the ability to engage in some of their most natural behaviors, including walking. With virtually no laws to protect them, these smart and social animals are subjected to some of the worst abuses imaginable and are routinely treated in ways that would result in criminal prosecution if those same abuses were inflicted upon cats or dogs. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to expose the rotten truth of egg production and promote compassionate food choices.
Egg Consumption Is Declining: Industry News
Here’s some encouraging news from the egg industry with a sunny side for hens: per capita egg consumption in the US has been steadily declining for the past six years!
That’s according to a recent Egg Industry Fact Sheet posted on the United Egg Producers’ website, which is based on statistics from the US Department of Agriculture. As highlighted in the graph below, in 2006 the average American ate 258.1 eggs while the estimate for 2011 drops down to 246.3 — that’s nearly one dozen fewer eggs per person.
