Closed consultation

Cage reform: proposed ban on keeping laying hens, pullets and breeder layers in cages

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 12 January 2026

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Summary

Seeking views on a proposed ban on keeping laying hens, pullets and breeder layers in cages.

This consultation was held on another website.

This consultation ran from
9:30am on 12 January 2026 to 11:59pm on 9 March 2026

Consultation description

View this consultation in Welsh

We want to know what you think about a proposed ban on keeping laying hens, pullets and breeder layers in cages.

We’re proposing to phase out the use of enriched ‘colony’ cages for laying hens and any other caged systems used for pullets and breeder layers, and ban the remaining use of conventional ‘battery’ cages for keepers with fewer than 350 birds.

We also want to gather more information on:

• impacts on animal welfare
• impacts on the industry

Published 12 January 2026