ARSO's draft standard CD-ARS 1241 falsely claims battery cages "guarantee the welfare of birds." This is not science — it's a threat to African hens, farmers, and markets.
"The laying hen cage system has become the most important facility as it guarantees the welfare of birds while laying."
— CD-ARS 1241:2025(E), IntroductionThis claim directly contradicts decades of scientific research. Battery cages prevent hens from expressing their most basic natural behaviours: nesting, perching, dust-bathing, and foraging. Confining a hen to 450 cm² — smaller than an A4 sheet of paper — does not "guarantee welfare." It guarantees suffering.
The space allocation per hen — less than a single sheet of paper.
Nearly 40% of African egg production is already cage-free.
Of African cage-free corporate commitments with 2024 deadlines met.
ARSO standards apply across 44 African member states.
The same Technical Committee (TC 23) released two standards simultaneously — and they directly contradict each other.
"The laying hen cage system... guarantees the welfare of birds."
No perches. No nests. No litter.
"Consumers increasingly care about animal welfare... the need to consider adopting cage-free systems."
Recognizes perches, nests, litter as essential.
ARSO cannot credibly endorse both standards.
Replace with: "a legacy production system subject to increasing welfare concerns globally."
Major African corporations operate profitably cage-free. Ghana predominantly uses deep litter.
450 cm² per hen is smaller than an A4 sheet. WOAH does not endorse this.
Formal Stage 4 public enquiry across all 44 member countries before balloting.
Global retailers require cage-free sourcing. Standardizing battery cages creates economic risk.
"Battery cages never belonged in Zimbabwe and still do not belong. They are part of a cruel farming system that needs to become just a part of history."
"Rural farmers need a resilient chicken that can fend for itself, stay alive, and yield enough meat and eggs to feed the family."
"Most poultry farmers use deep litter systems in Ghana. Why didn't the government provide training and support for deep litter systems?"
Click below to send a pre-drafted email to ARSO demanding science-based, humane standards.
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Contact your country's National Standards Body to submit comments on CD-ARS 1241.
African Organisation for Standardisation
International House, 3rd Floor
P.O. Box 57363 — 00200 City Square, Nairobi, Kenya
Email: arso@arso-oran.org
Tel: +254-20-2224561 / +254-20-3311641
Web: www.arso-oran.org