Scotland could become the first country in the UK to ban egg companies from keeping chickens in cages.
The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on banning the use of cages for egg-laying hens.
Opinions are being sought on the phasing out of “enrichment cages”, which provide birds with more space for nesting, perching, scratching and resting than battery cages or barren cages, which were banned in the UK in 2012.
Agriculture Secretary Jim Fairlie highlighted the Holyrood government’s recent plans, which include a commitment to “improve the welfare of laying hens and ensure their confinement does not have a negative impact on their normal behaviour”.
He added: “Significant progress has been made in recognizing the importance of this. animal welfare – Whether it’s government policy or public shopping choice needs.
“If implemented, this ban will be another example of Scotland Play a leading role in improving people’s welfare animal Becoming the first UK country to ban the practice. “
The Scottish Government said that as of February 2024, more than 1.1 million hens were caged in Scotland.
A 2020 YouGov survey found that nearly nine in ten (88%) people in the UK believe the use of cages in agriculture is cruel, with more than three quarters (77%) supporting a complete ban on cages.
The Scottish Government prefers a ban on the installation of new cages from 2030, followed by a complete ban on concentrate cage production from 2034.
Ministers believe this option “best balances improvements in bird welfare and ensuring the sustainability of the layer industry”.
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The consultation also sought views on a ban on the use of enrichment cages from 2030, as well as a non-regulatory option whereby shops and caterers would commit to ending the sale and use of eggs raised in enrichment cages by 2034.
The consultation will run for 12 weeks until Tuesday 25 June.
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Mr Fairlie added: “We are seeing legislation introduced in the EU to ban the use of cages for all farmed livestock, Luxembourg and Austria have already banned cages and other countries are also phasing them out.
“In the coming weeks [we] Evidence will also be requested on the use of cages in the game bird, quail egg and meat industries, followed by a consultation on phasing out cages in these industries in due course.
“I encourage everyone with an interest in this issue to get involved and help us develop how we protect the welfare of laying hens.”
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