SHOPPERS are being urged to put more pressure on farmers despite a new Euro-wide ban on battery cages.

MP David Chaytor has welcomed the decision by European agriculture ministers to phase out such cages, which confine hens to an area no bigger than a telephone directory.

But he is disappointed that the ban will not come into affect until 2012, causing an "extra decade of suffering" for hens.

"Hens living in cramped conditions can't even flap their wings, let along forage, perch or nest," said the MP for Bury North.

"They suffer severe distress and health problems. I hope that farmers using battery cages will take steps now to switch to alternative systems rather than waiting for the ban to come into force."

Mr Chaytor said a poll showed that British shoppers cared more about the welfare of hens than the price of eggs.

"I would urge more consumers to buy free range eggs and put pressure on farmers to change their methods as soon as possible," he said.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.