LIVE: Rhode Island Looking at Cage Free Egg Legislation

LIVE: Rhode Island Looking at Cage Free Egg Legislation

Joe Warzycha with the Rhode Island SPCA and board president of the Ocean State Animal Coalition says a bill introduced to Rhode Island legislature by the Humane Society looks to ban the use of battery cages, and add them to what is already defined as unlawful confinement of a covered animal. 

Warzycha says it’s a complex bill but it has the support of OSAC, along with thirty Rhode Island Farmers, the Center for Food Safety, The National Consumers League and other organizations.

He says there is pushback  coming from an industry with a large voice.

In Rhode Island, Warzycha says there is only one farm in that uses battery cages, and they house roughly 40,000 birds. 

Cost of transition out of battery cages is a concern, Warzycha says, he continued the Humane Society has offered to help the farm in Rhode Island with battery cages look for grants to make the transition.