Today (3 March), animal welfare and environmental NGO, Compassion in World Farming, staged a powerful visual exhibition in central London calling on the UK Government to deliver on its promise and phase out cages for laying hens.

At St Martin-in-the-Fields, which overlooks Trafalgar Square, the charity unveiled its striking ‘Draw the Line at Caged Hens’ art exhibition. 700 drawings of hens were displayed, highlighting the 7 million UK laying hens that are confined to a cage with only about the space of an A4 piece of paper each. Hens are sentient beings with their own personalities, which was captured beautifully in the uniqueness of each picture.

Amongst the artworks were pieces by some of Compassion’s high-profile supporters including Chris Packham, Deborah Meaden, Miriam Margolyes and Dame Joanna Lumley.

Every year in the UK, around 7 million laying hens spend most of their lives in so-called 'enriched' cages. Caged hens are severely restricted in their ability to move around and carry out natural behaviours like stretching and flapping their wings or scratching. Outdated cage systems are still legal in the UK, despite the fact that 75% of the British public believe they are cruel.

This captivating installation comes as the UK Government is consulting on phasing out cages for laying hens. The exhibition aimed to raise awareness of the plight of caged hens and call on Government to ensure a ban is delivered swiftly, following the consultation period.

Emma Hamm, Senior Campaigns Manager at Compassion in World Farming UK, said:

With the Government’s consultation underway, the message is clear - it’s time to End the Cage Age. Today’s exhibition highlighted that each drawing is unique and individual, like each hen trapped in these cruel, outdated systems.

Defra’s Animal Welfare Strategy signalled their intention to end the use of cages for laying hens, but hens cannot wait. The Government must act with urgency to bring forward a ban while helping farmers transition to higher-welfare alternatives.

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For more information please email media.team@ciwf.org or call +44 (0)1483 521 615

Images can be downloaded here.

Art exhibition calls on UK Government to ban cages for laying hens