The Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) have launched a consultation to hear stakeholder’s thoughts about a proposed ban on keeping laying hens, pullets and breeder layers in cages. 

On behalf of the UK Government, the Welsh Government, the Scottish Government, and the Northern Ireland Executive, the public consultation seeks views on proposed amendments to the legislation, which are as follows:  

• From 2027, a ban on the building or bringing into service for the first time any enriched ‘colony’ cage system for the keeping of laying hens (including those in establishments with fewer than 350 birds) and any other caged systems used for pullets and breeder layers; 

• From 2027, a ban on the use of existing conventional ‘battery’ cages for the keeping of laying hens in establishments with fewer than 350 birds; and 

• From 2032, a ban on the use of existing enriched ‘colony’ cages for the keeping of laying hens (including those in establishments with fewer than 350 birds) and any other caged systems used for pullets and breeder layers. 

In 1999, conventional ‘battery’ cages for laying hens (for keepers with 350 or more birds) were banned throughout the European Union, including in the UK, but with a 12-year transition period to 1 January 2012 before the ban came into full effect. Due to the small size and barren environment, conventional ‘battery’ cages severely compromised the welfare of laying hens. However, this ban only targeted commercial scale producers and so keepers with fewer than 350 laying hens were excluded. 

Whilst enriched ‘colony’ cages are an improvement on conventional ‘battery’ cages, they still do not fully provide for the physical and behavioural needs of laying hens. The enriched ‘colony’ cage system restricts choice, preventing access to the ground and other levels, and limiting the ability to run, flap wings, dustbathe or forage.      

Breeder layers and pullets are not currently within scope of the cage requirements in the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007, and their Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish equivalents. 

The consultation will also seek to collect practical and logistical information from relevant stakeholders.   

If you wish to take part in the consultation, you can do so here.  

All responses should be submitted by 9th March 2026.