In the News
Blacktown Council rejects chicken battery ban
26 March 2010
BLACKTOWN Council has outraged animal liberation groups by becoming the first in NSW to refuse to put a ban on caged poultry and eggs.
Buying free range would cost ratepayers an extra $15,864 a year - nearly twice as much as its current egg bill - to supply council functions, its poolside cafes and childcare centres.
After a plea from the town vet for Blacktown to lead in chicken welfare, the council voted down the motion because it would cost too much.
"We won't be buying any $10 eggs," Mayor Charlie Lowles said.
Animal rights groups slammed the council as "not from the 21st century".
"If councillors cannot see suffering in front of them they should not be representing the community and community attitude to the welfare of animals," Animal Liberation project manager Angie Stephenson said.
"If 95 per cent of the population are in favour of getting rid of caged eggs they will be in favour of spending slightly extra to ensure council is caged-eggs free and against animal cruelty."
Town vet and Blacktown City councillor Russ Dickens urged council to take a lead in "ethical consumerism".
"How would councillors like to be locked up in a council toilet for the rest of their lives?" he asked.
Market research shows caged eggs cost on average $3 to $4 per dozen while barn-laid and free-range eggs cost double, a report to council said.
Council paid about $11 per kilogram for diced chicken while organic chicken breast costs more than twice as much.
Red Rooster, Woolworths and McDonald's are moving rapidly to go exclusively free range, Blacktown City councillor Nick Tyrell said.
"The market is moving away from battery hens. The industry is finding it necessary to make changes due to consumer demand. Dozens of councils have moved away from caged eggs, whole countries have banned production of caged eggs," he said.
"It is unbelievable these councillors want to keep Blacktown a backwater."
Councils across NSW, including Sydney City, Parramatta, Cessnock, Marrickville, Warringah, Randwick, Hornsby, Holroyd and Leichhardt, use only free-range eggs.
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