THE year of the London Olympics 2012 is a significant year for animal welfare campaigners.

It is the year which the European Union has set for the abolition of the battery cage system and all laying hens should be enjoying life outside.

It is surely a cause for celebration.

However, I am worried to learn some people in the industry are pressing for the ban to be delayed so the hens might not get their freedom by 2012 as promised.

British consumers lead the way in buying free-range eggs and the more who do this, the more supermarkets will ask farmers to produce more eggs from higher welfare systems.

We can also help organisations such as Compassion for World Farming (CIWF) by lobbying politicians to ensure they keep their promise in 2012. For more information go to ciwf.org MRS P E STEVENS
Bexleyheath