Government targets higher UK animal welfare standards with 2032 caged egg phase-out

The UK Government has today set out plans to raise animal welfare standards by phasing out all caged egg production in Britain by 2032 and tightening rules around painful sheep mutilation practices.

Under the proposals, enriched ‘colony’ cage systems used across the laying hen sector would be gradually phased out, including for smaller producers, as part of two new consultations aimed at improving farm animal welfare while supporting sustainable and profitable food production.

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.”

Colony cage eggs currently account for just over 20 percent of UK shell egg production. These systems significantly restrict bird movement, with up to 80 hens housed in a single cage and each bird given no more space than an A4 sheet of paper.

The proposed phase-out would bring regulation into line with existing retail commitments and ongoing debate around egg production standards, with major UK retailers, including Sainsbury’s and Aldi, already committed to cage-free systems.

Anthony Field, Head of Compassion in World Farming UK, commented:

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.”

Lamb welfare proposals

Alongside reforms to the egg sector, ministers are also consulting on proposals to improve welfare for lambs by reducing pain caused by castration and tail docking. These practices are often carried out without anaesthetic or pain relief.

Farmers would be expected to take steps to minimise pain when the procedures are necessary, including greater use of pain relief and consideration of alternative methods, supported by improved access and guidance. The proposals reflect the latest scientific evidence and follow advice from the independent Animal Welfare Committee.

On the lamb consultation, Field added:

We also welcome the launch of a consultation to improve the welfare of lambs. Lambs are routinely subjected to painful, unnecessary mutilations. Castration and tail docking are usually carried out without anaesthetic or pain relief, causing great suffering, so this is an extremely encouraging move.”

The Government has opened separate consultations on the phase-out of cages for laying hens and on reforms to castration and tail docking practices in lambs. Both consultations will run for eight weeks from today, with farmers, food businesses and animal welfare organisations encouraged to share their views to help shape final policy and manage impacts on the sector.