The UK government proposes phasing out cages for laying hens by 2032 and tightening lamb welfare standards, including reduced pain during castration and docking
The UK government has set out detailed proposals to phase out the use of colony cages for laying hens by 2032 and to reduce pain from lamb husbandry procedures, marking a major move to raise farm animal welfare standards. The consultation includes tighter rules on castration and tail docking, aligning policy with public expectations and scientific advice.
Key welfare reforms for hens and lambs announced
Enriched ‘colony’ cage eggs supply over 20% of the UK shell egg production. These cages severely restrict the movement of British laying hens, with up to 80 birds per cage. Each bird has a space no bigger than an A4 sheet of paper.
To improve lambs’ welfare, farmers will now be expected to take steps to minimise pain during castration and tail docking. This could include greater use of pain relief and consideration of alternative methods, which farmers would get improved access to. This reflects the latest scientific evidence and follows expert advice from the independent Animal Welfare Committee.
The proposals are a significant first step towards improving animal welfare reforms, ensuring farm animals have a greater freedom to behave naturally with dignity. This forms part of the Animal Welfare Strategy.
The proposals will be subject to an 8-week consultation period, during which stakeholders can submit feedback online or by mail. This will ensure any impacts on farmers and trade are fully considered and managed. Both consultations will open today, and farmers, industry, and animal welfare organisations are encouraged to share their views.
Expert commentary
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.”
Anthony Field, Head of Compassion in World Farming UK, said: “We warmly welcome the UK Government’s leadership in honouring a key commitment in its Animal Welfare Strategy by swiftly launching a consultation on phasing out the use of cages for laying hens. This marks an important and long-awaited step towards ending the cage age.
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.
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 anaesthesia or pain relief, causing great suffering; this is therefore an extremely encouraging move.
We look forward to seeing positive changes for millions of other farmed animals in the coming years and to working with the Government to achieve this.”
