Government consults on colony cage reform proposals

The NFU has submitted its response to the government's consultation on cage reform and proposals to ban keeping laying hens, pullets and breeder layers in cages.

The NFU opposes a ban on enriched colony cages and has made it clear in its response that all current systems can deliver good welfare when properly managed.

The response stressed concerns over unintended consequences of a ban on opening the door to imports of eggs produced to standards that would be illegal in the UK. 

Also covered in the response are the unworkable transition period, planning constraints and cost of conversion – issues that could see many producers leaving the sector entirely.

The NFU is also clear that policy change should be designed to the advantage of domestic production and that doing otherwise will put hard working, successful enterprises out of business.

For further detail on the NFU's response, read: NFU opposes ban on colony cage in its response to Defra

This consultation is now closed for feedback.

The NFU's survey on laying hen cage reform has now closed. Members can still make their voice heard by responding directly to the government's consultation before the 9 March deadline.

GOV.UK |  Cage reform: proposed ban on keeping laying hens, pullets and breeder layers in cages.

The consultation opened on 12 January 2026 and closes on 9 March 2026.

What is being proposed by the government?

The ban on cages would be UK-wide and would also include enriched colony cages and any other caged systems, including combi/convertible systems.

A phased approach with 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. The use of any remaining conventional battery cages on sites with fewer than 350 hens will also be banned from this date.

Existing colony cage egg producers would then be given a six-year transition period to either change to a cage-free system or cease production by 1 January 2032.

NFU position on colony cages

The NFU believes enriched cages have an important role to play in producing eggs for the UK consumer at an affordable price point, not least during a cost of living crisis.

Therefore, all four methods of egg production currently practiced in the UK should remain supported as sustainable farming practices maintaining high welfare standards for laying hens.

We do not support a ban on a system that delivers for hen welfare and, at a time of rising food prices, provides consumers with a choice of an affordable, home-grown and nutritious product. 

Additionally, eggs from colony cage flocks are widely used in the processed egg/egg product sector in a variety of dishes where consumer prices are a significant driver. If we ban this system in the UK, we will see increased imports of this product produced to lower animal welfare, environmental and food safety standards.

A 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.”

NFU response

The NFU will be gathering views and evidence from members to inform our response to the consultation. 

Fill in our online form below before 15 February to feed into our response to the government.

You can also respond directly to the consultation at: GOV.UK |  Cage reform: proposed ban on keeping laying hens, pullets and breeder layers in cages.