Independent report
Opinion on the welfare of laying hens in non-cage production systems
Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) opinion on the welfare of laying hens in non-cage production systems.
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This Opinion principally addresses the welfare of laying hens in non-cage
production systems, both barn and free-range systems (including organic), to
assess how the welfare of laying hens can be safeguarded and improved as
production moves away from the use of cages to non-cage systems.
The Animal Welfare Committee sent this opinion to government on 10 July 2026.
You can read more about the work of the Animal Welfare Committee.