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Poultry: Animal Housing

Asked by Dave DooganScottish National PartyDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 15 January 2026UIN 103841

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will introduce a ban on cages for laying hens in the UK.

Answered by Dame Angela Eagle

The recently published animal welfare strategy sets out that ending the use of cages and crates is a key priority for this Government.

As announced on 12 January 2026, a consultation on a proposal to ban the keeping of laying hens, pullets and breeder layers in cages has been launched and will close on 9 March 2026.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/cage-reform-proposed-ban-on-keeping-laying-hens-pullets-and-breeder-layers-in-cages.

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