My general sense is that option A leads to a greater welfare increase. Not only based on what we measured, but also on recent evidence that pain is likely more intense and longer in cages (even furnished), as discussed here, as well as recent evidence of depressive-like states in cages (e.g., here).
So my answer is that even if furnished cages are less harmful than battery cages, I do not think that advocacy for ‘cages’ is worth pursuing.
Thanks, Cynthia. Is there enough data for you to make a quantitative comparison between A and B? If not, do you have plans to look further into this in the future? I wonder whether you think A increases welfare, for example, 1.5 or 5 times as much as B.
Hi Vasco, yes, this is something that will be part of the Welfare Footprint of the Egg. We’re now including the analyses of plausible scenarios within each system, including scenarios where best practices are used, as well as scenarios of complete failure, which will give you an idea of the variability you’re mentioning.
Hi Vasco, thank you for raising this.
My general sense is that option A leads to a greater welfare increase. Not only based on what we measured, but also on recent evidence that pain is likely more intense and longer in cages (even furnished), as discussed here, as well as recent evidence of depressive-like states in cages (e.g., here).
So my answer is that even if furnished cages are less harmful than battery cages, I do not think that advocacy for ‘cages’ is worth pursuing.
Thanks, Cynthia. Is there enough data for you to make a quantitative comparison between A and B? If not, do you have plans to look further into this in the future? I wonder whether you think A increases welfare, for example, 1.5 or 5 times as much as B.
Hi Vasco, yes, this is something that will be part of the Welfare Footprint of the Egg. We’re now including the analyses of plausible scenarios within each system, including scenarios where best practices are used, as well as scenarios of complete failure, which will give you an idea of the variability you’re mentioning.
Great to know.