Defra has published proposals to phase out all colony cage systems across the laying hen sector by 2032, including for smaller producers.
The department has also published proposals for tighter restrictions on sheep mutilation practices such as castration and tail docking, which it says cause pain to lambs and are often carried out without pain relief.
The proposals, which will be subject to eight-week consultations, mark the first stage of the various improvements set out in Defra’s Welfare Strategy, which was published just before Christmas.
Speaking to journalists at the Oxford Farming Conference, Defra secretary Emma Reynolds made it clear these would be the first in a series of consultations on farm animal improvements. This is likely to include further consultations this year on farrowing crates in pigs and the use CO2 in abattoirs – however, Mrs Reyndolds did not specify timelines.
Enriched ‘colony’ cage eggs supply just over 20% of the UK shell egg production, with up to 80 birds are in each cage and each bird having space that is no bigger than an A4 sheet of paper, Defra said.
Defra pointed out that UK’s leading retailers, including Sainsbury’s to Aldi, are already committed to not selling eggs produced from cage systems, meaning the proposals announced today are in line with widespread best practice and public opinion.
There is concern within the poultry sector that producers that currently still use cages will struggle to adapt to alternative systems, potentially reducing egg production in the UK.
High welfare standards
Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle said: “We are committed to improving the lives of farm animals and to supporting farmers to produce food sustainably, profitably and to the high standards consumers expect.
“British consumers want high animal welfare standards and these measures reflect those values, creating healthier livestock and high welfare food production.”
Anthony Field, Head of Compassion in World Farming UK said: “We warmly welcome the UK Government’s leadership in honouring a key commitment in its Animal Welfare Strategy by swiftly launching a consultation on phasing out the use of cages for laying hens. This marks an important and long-awaited step towards ending the cage age.”
“We are optimistic that this will be the first of many meaningful and lasting changes. Phasing out cages for the millions of hens kept behind bars every year cannot come soon enough, and we hope the outcome of this consultation will be an ambitious timeline for phasing out these cruel systems.”