Animal Watch Aotearoa
Friday July 12th
For immediate release

Animal Rights Activists To Target Battery Hen Giant

The National Week of Action Against Battery Farming culminates in Dunedin today with a protest against battery hen giant Mainland Poultry.

The protest meets at the Octagon at 2.30pm before moving onto the final destination.

" Mainland Poultry is the biggest battery hen company in New Zealand, incarcerating literally hundreds of thousands of hens. They are the ultimate in animal cruelty and a huge promoter of intensive farming." spokesperson Clare Havell said.

Throughout the week animal rights activists have been collecting submissions against battery farming, giving out egg-free food, and re-labeling factory farmed eggs in supermarkets. Stickers with images from New Zealand battery farms were placed on battery eggs in several supermarkets and product-warning fliers distributed to shoppers.

" Many people were shocked to discover their 'Country Life' eggs were actually from hens in cages. Battery hen companies not only treat animals like machines, they try to hide it. The egg industry's labeling of battery eggs is downright deceptive."

"Submissions to the review of welfare codes for layer hens are set to open in the next few weeks - these actions are a signal to the government and industry we won't let up. Intensive farming is pure suffering; it must be banned. And we won't stop until it is.

For more information contact Clare Havell at animalwatch@paradise.net.nz

Christchurch: Shifting From Response To Recovery

Civil Defence Director, John Hamilton says public services are being restored in Canterbury, with people in the region receiving support from welfare staff and building inspectors despite disruption caused by strong and frequent aftershocks.

Mr Hamilton said the focus is shifting from the response phase to recovery.

“Priorities over the next few days are to provide assistance to people and target and fix infrastructure, meet immediate and longer term housing needs, establish recovery structures and ensure timely, regular communication with affected communities,” he said. More>>