Christine Oddy MEP will be signing a giant ballot slip to pledge her support for improved standards of farm animal welfare on Tuesday 25 May at Chamberlain Square, Birmingham in response to an appeal by Compassion in World Farming. Christine will be coined by "Hetty" a giant battery hen.

Christine Oddy states:

"I have been working to promote animal welfare standards since I joined the European Parliament in 1989. Several years ago, I was responsible for a report in the Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament advocating that animals should be recognised as "sentient beings" in the Treaty of Rome. This was successfully agreed in negotiations and a declaration has been added to this effect.

"I have been working in co-operation with Compassion in World Farming over many issues including welfare standards for transport 'of animals, improved standards for veal --rates and enriched cages for battery hens.

"This is an area which is very dear to constituents' hearts and I have a huge post bag on this subject."