In January, we joined forces with our wonderful Patron, Joanna Lumley, to launch a parliamentary petition calling on the Government to end the use of cages for all UK farmed animals.

In the UK, around 8 million laying hens spend most of their lives imprisoned in so-called ‘enriched’ cages where they have around the space of a sheet of A4 paper each. In addition, 200,000 mother pigs are confined in narrow crates when nursing their piglets. Calves, quail and game birds also suffer in severe confinement.

In just a few weeks, the petition has gained more than 40,000 signatures, so we are on our way to the 100,000 signature target needed for this issue to be considered for a parliamentary debate. On reaching 10,000 signatures, the Government must issue a written response.

Yet to see action

Today (20th February) the Government released this response, making encouraging noises about the need to end cruel caged farming in the UK. But we are yet to see any changes in legislation about phasing out the use of cages.

In their response, Defra says: “This Government was elected on a mandate to introduce the most ambitious plans to improve animal welfare in a generation.” It’s clear that without addressing farmed animal welfare – and in particular, ending the use of cages – this ambition simply will not be met. These systems are cruel, outdated and cause suffering on a massive scale.

UK slipping behind

Defra’s response also implies that it is not possible to ban cages in the UK and avoid the outsourcing of low welfare production overseas. This is not the case. It is possible to ban cages AND protect our farmers by requiring imports to meet core standards for animal welfare in order to be permitted into the UK.

Yet despite governments repeatedly citing high UK animal welfare standards, the reality is that the UK is slipping behind several European countries. Enriched ‘colony’ cages for hens are banned in Austria (2020), Germany (2026), Czech Republic (2027) and Belgian Wallonia (2028). France banned the installation of new cages in 2018, the Slovenian Government has announced its plan to end cages in 2028, while Slovakian Government and industry signed an agreement to phase out cages by 2030.

Farrowing crates (including temporary crates) for sows are banned in Sweden (1987), Switzerland (2007) and Norway (2000). The UK must introduce stronger animal welfare standards if it is not to fall further behind other European nations.

Strong public opinion

Recent polling shows that 96% of the British public believe that confining a mother pig in a crate is unacceptable and 94% stated that keeping hens in enriched cages is unacceptable. The Government acknowledges there is “strong public feeling on keeping farm animals in cages” but they have not set out in their response what steps they will take to End the Cage Age. It’s time for meaningful progress to be made and for consultations on the use of cages for hens and sows to be published.

Significant action needed

James West, our Chief Public Affairs Manager, said: “We are encouraged by the Government’s response to our petition. It shows an awareness of the public concern for farmed animal welfare and a need for the sector to transition away from cages. However, it’s vital we now see concrete proposals for how the Government will meet that public expectation and deliver significant action to end the use of cages in UK farming.

“A cage ban is long overdue, and failure to act means leaving millions of hens and mother pigs suffering behind bars. We will continue working to gain the 100,000 signatures needed for the petition to be considered for debate and urge the Government to take meaningful steps to End the Cage Age in the UK”

Please ask the Government to End the Cage Age for all farmed animals and help us reach the 100,000 signatures needed.

UK Government respond to our End the Cage Age petition