Global preference for more ethical egg production methods has increased in recent decades, and Australia is the latest country to announce plans to discontinue their use of battery hens.

Australian agriculture ministers have set a deadline for the phasing out of battery-sourced eggs at the year 2036; a contentious date for both supporters and opponents of the move. Farmers argue that 13 years is an inadequate period for them to align practices with the new regulations, and consumers worry that the price of cage-free eggs will exponentially increase (The Guardian). However, animal welfare advocates argue to the converse. They propose that new competition within the remaining egg industry may in fact drive egg prices down. Furthermore, activists contend that as much as 70 percent of the transition away from battery hen use in Australia is already complete, with 64 percent of the population independently choosing free-range options (The Guardian). This shift in attitude is primarily the result of persistent animal welfare advocacy efforts, and public education on the greater health benefits offered by cage-free eggs.

The United Kingdom and European Union provide a model for Australia and other countries legislating away from cage-based egg production. The confinement of hens in battery conditions has been illegal in the region since 2012, although “furnished” or “enriched” cages are still allowed in the UK (The Guardian). The twenty-five largest retailers in the United States and Canada have agreed to phase out their use of cage-eggs before 2025 (SAFE NZ). And even in China, the world’s largest producer of eggs, who as recently as 2019 produced up to 90 percent of its eggs via battery hens, an increased sensitivity towards animal welfare issues and consumer willingness to switch to cage-free alternatives is perceptible (Animal Frontiers; Poultry World).

The World Organisation for Animal Health describes an animal as being in ‘good welfare’ if “its needs are being met and hence it is healthy, comfortable, well nourished, safe, able to express important behaviour and not suffering from unpleasant states such as pain, fear and distress” (Frontiers in Animal Science). In traditional battery environments, 5-10 birds are housed in a single cage, with an area smaller than a sheet of A4 paper to move around (Humane Society). Many caged hens develop debilitating health conditions including osteoporosis from a lack of movement and exercise. Researchers at several leading international institutions distributed a survey to respondents from 14 countries, including Australia, to gauge global perceptions of ‘hen welfare and egg production systems’. Participants overwhelmingly reported that it mattered to them that egg-producing hens did not suffer (Frontiers in Animal Science).

The status of regulation surrounding battery hens in Hong Kong is incongruent with the regions mentioned previously. Small steps have been taken by international corporations (eg. McDonald’s and Starbucks), independent retailers, and a growing repertoire of hotel groups (The Peninsula and Mandarin Oriental, to name a few). However, nationwide legislation is yet to be introduced by relevant government departments. Commitments made by those in the hospitality industry are particularly impactful, as large-scale hotels regularly use over 300,000 eggs per hotel per year to feed guests (Lever Foundation).

Considering another angle, Hong Kong relies heavily on imported food products. This is in contrast to countries like Australia, USA and China which are largely self-sufficient regarding egg production. For this reason, the creation of uniform international guidelines on battery hen and cage-egg usage may be an effective measure to manifest change within the Hong Kong market.

It remains to be seen whether Australia, and other countries promising a more immediate year of reckoning will meet their cage-free goals. For now, the introduction of similar regulations prohibiting or phasing out battery egg production and distribution in Hong Kong and China would set a positive precedent for the rest of Asia.

Courtesy of: Saskia Sinha