BFREPA statement on the Government proposals to end the use of cages for laying hens

Published on : 12 Jan 2026

We’ve been clear for a long time: phasing out colony egg production only works if two critically important aspects are addressed at the same time:  creating the right conditions for British cage-free production to expand, principally through reform of the planning system, and, at the same time, preventing import of eggs and egg products produced in overseas cage systems. If the government fail to do this we simply replace British eggs with imported products produced from systems banned here — an outcome that would be morally wrong and a betrayal of farmers and leave the government’s Animal Welfare Strategy falling short of its core purpose.

If the ambition to ban colony cages goes ahead by 2032, the government must use this extremely tight timeline to work collaboratively with industry to create the right conditions for expansion of cage-free production to replace the colony cage production and, at the same time maintain both sustainable and profitable egg production as well as the current levels of self-sufficiency in the sector. 

A ban without the appropriate the government action and support would damage both animal welfare and the British egg sector. The Minister has said the government is committed to supporting farmers to produce food sustainably, profitably, and to the high standards consumers expect. We now look forward to seeing what that commitment means in practice for British egg farmers. For now, we welcome the Minister’s assurance that she will work with farmers on any changes to ensure a productive and sustainable sector.