Massachusetts Residents:
Take Action for Hens!
YOU DID IT!
On December 22, 2021, the Governor of Massachusetts signed S.2603, “An Act further regulating hen welfare and establishing uniform cage-free standards.” With the passage of this legislation, as of January 1, 2022, all eggs produced and sold in Massachusetts must come from hens who were raised without cages and who received certain environmental enrichments essential to their well-being, such as nest boxes, perches, and dust-bathing and scratching areas.
By speaking up, Massachusetts advocates have improved the lives of approximately 7-8 million hens per year. Thank you to everyone who took action in support of this campaign!
ACT TO PREVENT CRUELTY TO FARMED ANIMALS
In 2016, Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly passed a ballot measure commonly known as Question 3 – an Act to Prevent Cruelty to Farm Animals – which prohibits the cruel confinement of egg-laying hens, mother pigs, and calves raised for veal, along with the sale of certain products from animals kept in these inhumane conditions. Massachusetts citizens made it clear at the ballot box that they’re against extreme cruelty, and they strongly support farm animal welfare.
HENS DESERVE BETTER
Question 3 was groundbreaking, but it left a lot of room for improvement. Since then, leading food companies and other states have mandated stronger standards protecting the welfare of hens in the egg industry. S.2603 upgraded the standards set by Question 3 to match these improvements. Not only has this amendment resulted in stronger cage-free standards for hens, but it also requires producers to provide hens with the opportunity to engage in basic natural behaviors, like nesting and dust-bathing, which are absolutely critical to their well-being.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
S.2603 strengthened Massachusetts law so that millions of hens each year will experience less suffering. Thank you to everyone who reached out to their elected officials urging them to support this critical legislation. Your outreach made this victory possible!
Hens in the egg industry suffer some of the worst welfare conditions of all terrestrial farmed animals. This legislation was the critical next step in reducing their suffering.
Sarah Hanneken
Legal Advocacy Counsel, Animal Equality
