De-beaking is a procedure carried out on egg-laying hens in intensive farming systems that involves cutting of the beak. it is extremely painful and causes long lasting, chronic pain.
Eight years ago a promise was made to phase out the avoidable, brutal and extremely painful procedure of de-beaking by January 2011. Agriculture minister, James Paice has now announced a delay on this ban by another FIVE YEARS. 
In 2008, 27 Million egg layers were replaced. In 2009 28 Million egg layers were replaced. Such figures suggest that in the next five years as many as 140 Million hens could legally be subjected to this horrific procedure.
We are asking for these plans to be reconsidered! extending the time farmers have to move forward, and leave these cruel practices behind is a travesty - eight years has been plenty of time, and those farmers who have not made the changes yet, will not make them in the next five years! 
It is time to start enforcing better welfare for our valuable egg-laying population!

Dear Mr Paice,

We, the undersigned are appalled at your decision to continue to allow farmers to mutilate chickens as part of legal farming practice in the UK.

Eight years ago a promise was made to phase out the avoidable, brutal and extremely painful procedure (which causes long-lasting, chronic pain) of de-beaking by January 2011.

You have now delayed this ban by another FIVE YEARS. In 2008, 27 Million egg layers were replaced. In 2009 28 Million egg layers were replaced. Such figures suggest that in the next five years as many as 140 Million hens could legally be subjected to this horrific procedure.

Please, please, reconsider your plans to extend the time farmers have to move forward, and leave these cruel practices behind. Eight Years has been plenty of time, and those farmers who have not made the changes yet, will not make them in the next five years! it is time to start enforcing better welfare for our valuable chickens!

Thank you for your consideration,

The Undersigned.