RSPCA WA has commended the WA Government for its plans to embed the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Poultry into state legislation – paving the way for a phase out of barren battery cages in Western Australia by 2032-2036.
RSPCA WA's submission to the WA Government's consultation process said that implementing the Poultry Standards and Guidelines – which were endorsed by all state and territory agriculture ministers in July 2023 – into state regulations was the only way to ensure that these important reforms actually occur.
RSPCA WA CEO Ben Cave said WA was the first state to start implementation of the Standards which include providing perches and/or platforms, environments for foraging and scratching, and adequate nesting space for layer hens, as well as access to water for breeding ducks. All of these of these focus on promoting positive welfare, allowing birds to express normal behaviours.
"We have suggested some amendments to WA's draft regulations to better protect the welfare of poultry and are pleased to see some of the draft regulations exceed the minimum Standards. Overall, we commend the WA Government for its leadership as getting layer hens out of battery cages will be a significant improvement for in animal welfare in Western Australia," Mr Cave said.
"The RSPCA has been advocating to get layer hens out of barren battery cages for over 40 years. The process to agree the Poultry Standards and Guidelines took over eight years – far too long.
"That's why it's important that these Standards and Guidelines are now embedded into legislation to ensure the anticipated outcomes do not become forgotten the way that hens in cages have been forgotten for so long.
"More than 400,000 layer hens are confined to battery cages for their entire lives in WA (5.3m Australia-wide). Studies show that hens suffer significantly in battery cages systems because they do not have enough space to move, stretch or flap their wings, or exercise. They cannot express normal behaviours like perching, nesting, dustbathing and foraging, causing disease, deformity, chronic pain, stress and frustration.
"We look forward to working with the Government and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development to achieve the best possible welfare for poultry in WA – including a phase out of barren battery cages as soon as possible."
Background
All states and territories are yet to implement national Poultry Standards and Guidelines, which were agreed to by state and territory agriculture ministers in 2023 (although the ACT phased out battery cages in 2014).
According to the most recent ABS data (2021-22), there were 1,137,141 layer hens in WA. This included 36% (409,967) in cage systems, 28% (319,296) in indoor (barn) cage-free systems, and 36% (407,879) in free-range systems.
According to a survey conducted in 2021 by Kantar, 78% of West Australians support phasing out battery cages (higher than the national average of 77%).
