FOR Britain - "famously a nation of animal lovers" - a ban on battery hen farming cannot come soon enough, says Bolton's Euro MP Gary Titley. Mr Titley was speaking during a debate on European Commission proposals to amend existing EU laws and increase the size of battery hen cages. He described the move as a 'first step' towards banning battery hen systems throughout Europe for good.

"Battery farming is undeniably cruel," he said. "Hens, sometimes four or five at a time are routinely kept in battery cages so small they cannot even stretch their wings. Battery farming is also unnecessary. British consumers are able and willing to pay slightly more for free-range eggs than support inhumane farming methods."

The MEP for Greater Manchester West added that Britain's Labour Government was leading the way on this issue.

"We have announced our intention to phase out the battery farming of hens in the UK - in sharp contrast to our Tory predecessors, who always put wealth before welfare, whether for hens or for humans.

"An effective ban though must be an EU-wide ban. Battery farmers must not be able to ply their cruel trade elsewhere in Europe."

Britain is the EU's fifth largest egg producer after France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

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