This issue does not only apply to cage egg producers. The legislation will also affect organic, free range and barn egg producers.
The government's proposals for a UK-wide ban on cages for laying hens, pullets and breeder layers would apply to all poultry producers, including those with fewer than 350 birds.
A phased approach has been put forward which would see an initial ban on installing any new enriched colony (or any other cage) systems for laying hens, pullets and breeder layers from 1 January 2027.
A ban in the UK could lead to the import of eggs and egg products produced in cage systems that are illegal in this country.
Have your say
“A ban on colony cages for laying hens would simply increase the imports of eggs, some of which are produced to standards already illegal here.”
NFU Poultry Board Chair Will Raw
Members can reply direct to the government via its online consultation before it closes on 9 March. It is vital the government sees strong responses from the whole of the egg industry to demonstrate the importance of this issue.
Visit: GOV.UK | Cage reform: proposed ban on keeping laying hens, pullets and breeder layers in cages.
The opportunity to feed into the NFU's response has now passed. Thank you to those members who submitted their views.
Message from the Board Chair
Responding to the launch of the consultation, NFU Poultry Board Chair Will Raw said: “We have concerns about the unintended consequences of the outright banning of production systems like enriched colony cages which currently provide an affordable and nutritious source of protein to a growing population.
“Colony cage eggs positively contribute to wider food security and environmental goals, which sadly do not appear to have been acknowledged sufficiently by the government.
“Method of production on its own is not necessarily an indication of welfare and a ban on colony cages for laying hens would simply increase the imports of eggs, some of which are produced to standards already illegal here, such as eggs produced by hens kept in old-style battery cages which remain in use in some countries outside the UK.
“There are also significant barriers that need to be unlocked by the government in tandem with the animal welfare strategy, such as the planning system which is currently prohibitive to sector growth - growth that is imperative to meeting increasing consumer demand for British eggs.”