Rochdale Council to end battery egg use

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 7th Feb 2008

Rochdale Council Leader Alan Taylor has announced that Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council will no longer use battery eggs.

Councillor Taylor, a Liberal Democrat said: "I am pleased that the Cabinet and the rest of the Council back my stance. From now on only free range eggs will be purchased by this Council. The cost to the taxpayer is believed to be just over £10,000 and I think this is a price worth paying. The use of battery eggs has been in the news lately and it is something my daughter is constantly pressing me on. I am pleased that this Council is sending a clear message that we will not tolerate the cruel circumstances that battery eggs are produced under. We've all heard horror stories about battery hens being crammed into a space which is often smaller than a computer screen. It is unethical, wrong and I am pleased to tell the Council that we will no longer use battery eggs - only free range eggs.

"I am also pleased to announce that we will be reviewing this Council's ethical policies. This includes all food produce that the Council uses and provides to our staff, schools and elsewhere. I will also keep up my campaign to ensure an end to Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) making profits from investments in arms companies and other unethical organisations."