Sheffield schoolgirl launches petition against selling eggs from caged hens

Tens of thousands of people have backed a Sheffield schoolgirl in her bid to stop a supermarket giant from selling eggs from caged hens.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Mar 2016, 05:25 BST
Sheffield schoolgirl Lucy Gavaghan, aged 14, has set up a petition calling on Tesco to end the sale of eggs from caged and barn kept hens which has gained over 76,000 signatures in two weeks.Sheffield schoolgirl Lucy Gavaghan, aged 14, has set up a petition calling on Tesco to end the sale of eggs from caged and barn kept hens which has gained over 76,000 signatures in two weeks.
Sheffield schoolgirl Lucy Gavaghan, aged 14, has set up a petition calling on Tesco to end the sale of eggs from caged and barn kept hens which has gained over 76,000 signatures in two weeks.

Lucy Gavaghan, aged 14, set up an online petition which has been signed by some 89,000 people urgingTesco to stop stocking the eggs.

The Tapton School pupil is the proud owner of five hens, two of which previously lived in ex-commercial barns and one which came from from a commercial colony cage.

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She said she started the petition because she is ‘passionate’ about hen welfare.

“They are amazing animals to be around,” said Lucy, of Ringinglow Road, Ringinglow.

“Barn and cage kept hens never get the chance to go outside, and barely have enough room to move or stretch their wings.

“Companies such as Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencers and Waitrose stopped selling eggs from caged hens years ago. Phasing out caged and barn eggs isn’t going to be easy, but if Tesco take a stand it would be a huge step to eventually ending cages and barns in the commercial egg farming industry.”

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A Tesco spokesman said: “We are committed to high animal welfare standards and all of our egg producers must be fully compliant with the Red Tractor assurance scheme, as well as meet additional Tesco welfare standards. Eggs from caged hens are clearly labelled as such, so that shoppers can make an informed decision on what they wish to buy.”