Legislators urged to support transition to cage-free UK and Europe

Compassion in World Farming says the government should lead by example by banning all caged production and supporting the industry in its transition to cage-free systems. Photo: Canva

Leading food companies are driving the shift towards cage-free production but are not getting the support of UK and EU legislators.

In its latest report ‘Food businesses paving the way for a cage-free Europe’, animal welfare charity Compassion in World Farming highlights that over 200 UK companies have committed to cage-free eggs, with over 75% of UK egg production already cage-free. However, it adds, approximately 8 million hens in the UK are still in confined, caged conditions, underscoring the urgent need for legislative action.

The charity says the government should lead by example by banning all caged production and supporting the industry in its transition to cage-free systems, citing a You Gov poll from 2020 which said 88% of the British public believed caged farming was cruel.

Beyond the UK and to Europe

But the call from the charity goes beyond the UK, as it continues to urge the EU Commission to deliver on its promise to ban caged animal farming. In response to the successful End the Cage Age European Citizens’ Initiative, signed by more than 1.4 million EU citizens, the European Commission made a clear and legally-binding commitment to introduce legislative proposals to end caged farming by the end of 2023.

The charity said the consensus achieved in the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture is encouraging and it is urging the new Commission to adopt the recommendations and deliver the cage ban proposals by 2026 at the latest.

Introduction of legislation by the European Commission

The report highlights how major companies such as Barilla, Carrefour and Kaufland, are successfully phasing out cages for laying hens, sows and meat rabbits. Barilla, which operates in more than 100 countries, has fully transitioned to using cage-free egg products for its baked goods and pasta business.

Leonardo Mirone, ESG Leader Sourcing Chains at Barilla Group, said: “Barilla endeavours to ensure that all suppliers of raw materials of animal origin comply not just with legal requirements but also with the highest animal welfare standards and criteria and we proudly achieved our global cage-free goal in 2019.”

A crucial step forward in supporting and advancing sector-wide transformation would be the introduction of legislation by the European Commission to enforce a ban on cages.

As in the UK, these companies need the EU to support the transition by creating a level playing field and ensuring fair market competition by delivering on its 2021 commitment to present proposals to phase out cages across the EU.

Dr Tracey Jones, global director of Food Business at Compassion in World Farming, added: “Scientists are backing the call to end caged systems. Citizens are demanding change. Businesses are proving that large-scale cage-free farming is not only achievable but the right thing to do – for their customers, their brand and the animals in their supply chain.”

She added: “With the future of cages hanging in the balance, producers need clarity on timescales, system requirements and transition support. We urge both the new European Commission and UK government to deliver on their promises to the End the Cage, once and for all.”