Environment and Health Implications of Battery Cages
The Environment
Care systems use more energy and water and produce more pollution. When smaller flocks forage outdoors, the manure can be absorbed in th eground, servin gas a fertilizer. When tens of thousands of hens are kept on one farm, the huge volume of manure produced becomes a problem that must be cleaned out, transported and stored with environmental costs at each step. When it seeps into our water, high levels of phosphorus boost algae and kill fish. When it decomposes, it emits ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, methane and other harmful gases into the air.
Human Health
According to Health Canada's website, between 6,000 and 12,000 Canadians contract Salmonella each year, often as a result of eating improperly cooked meat or eggs. Recent research indicates that battery cage operations have an increased risk of Salmonella infection. For example, in 2007 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) analyzed data from 5,000 egg farms in more than 20 countries and found the chance of Salmonella infection was greater in farms where hens were kept in battery cages than in farms in any non-cage system.
