Tell Mairead McGuinness that the welfare of laying hens matters

Background (Preamble):

On 1 January 2012, less than a year from now, the EU's Welfare of Laying Hens Directive should come into effect.  By this date all European egg producers should have switched from traditional battery cages to enriched cages or non-cage systems. 
 
The Laywel report, prepared for the European Commission, concluded that the welfare of hens is “severely compromised” in battery cages.  While cage-free systems can provide far superior animal welfare compared to enriched cages, the banning of battery cages is nonetheless an improvement.
 
While Irish MEP Mairead McGuinness supports the directive, she has stated:
 
"[if consumers] really – and I mean this – really, really wanted welfare-friendly farming systems, they would pay the price for them. They want them. They do not value them, and they do not want to pay the price for these. I have not received one query from a consumer in my time here in the European Parliament since 2004 begging me to have this legislation implemented. ”
 

The Vegetarian Society of Ireland believes many people in Ireland want improved welfare for laying hens AND are prepared to pay the price and we'd like to let Ms. McGuinness know this.  If you'd like to let her know of your support please sign the petition below.
 
Petition:
To MEP Mairead McGuinness
 
We, the undersigned, would like to express our full support for directives that improve the welfare of laying hens.
We are willing to pay for eggs produced under welfare-friendly farming systems.
We urge you to ensure this directive, which will ban battery cages, is implemented as planned on 1 January 2012.
 

The period for signing this petition is now over.