THE Animal Protection Organization of Nigeria (APON) on Wednesday 8th September 2021, issued a press statement on its project titled, ‘corporate engagements and community outreach towards embracing a cage-free policy in Nigeria’, a project which will address the suffering of chickens raised for egg production in battery cages through corporate and institutional campaigns.
According to the release, signed by Mr Abayomi Olugbenga, the campaign coordinator for Lagos State, who also double as APON COO, the awareness will span across the entire state of Lagos, from the mainland to the island.
“Battery cages are predominant in Nigeria and it’s been practised for ages. Little did we know that this archaic filthy confinement is gradually phasing out. The first thing here to note is that battery cages are extremely cruel to laying hens.
“It is cruel because it prevents chickens from expressing innate behaviours such as spreading wings, perching, foraging, running, nesting, and dust-bathing.
In a battery cage system, a hen is only allowed a space less than the size of an A-4 paper (less than 600 cm) throughout her life. This is grave suffering!
“Due to the small space confinement, many of these birds suffer limb damage of various degrees, diseases, suffocation and eventual death is imminent.
Apart from animal welfare concerns, humans stand the chance of health risk through eating eggs that are contaminated with E.coli or Salmonella.
“These bacteria are common in poultry farms, especially where birds are kept in cages. The birds too can carry the bacterial to slaughterhouses, ending up in humans digestive track, ” the release read.
The Executive Director of APON, Mr Joseph Odika also in his address to journalists identified consumers and corporate organisations as key targets for this project. “Consumer education is key here to inform the public about food choices. Many boil their eggs with rice and pasta. This comes with grave consequences, particularly when the egg is contaminated. Corporate engagements are also key to address the issue of food safety head-on. Adopting a cage-free egg policy in a corporate setting will not only promote better chicken welfare but also guarantee food safety,” Odika said.
“We want to state here that we are grateful and highly indebted to Centre for Effective Altruism, who through its EA Animal Welfare Fund, provided grant support for this project. This project wouldn’t have been possible without their support,” he added.
Animal Protection Organization of Nigeria is a frontline animal welfare and protection Organization in Nigeria established to raise animal welfare status (including wildlife) in Nigeria and also fight to mitigate or eradicate environmental issues affecting animals and the public by irresponsible production practices.
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