Farming

One in five eggs in the UK come from caged hens, charity reveals

Published

1 year ago

September 2, 2024

A RECENT revelation by the RSPCA has shed light on the troubling fact that one in five eggs produced in the UK still come from hens kept in cages. The charity is calling on the UK Government to take immediate action by launching a consultation to ban the use of cages for farmed animals in England within the first six months of the new government’s term.

The RSPCA’s “End the Cage Age” campaign is urging the public to lobby their MPs to push for an end to the practice of keeping 10 million hens in ‘enriched’ cages, as well as the 200,000 pregnant pigs that are confined to crates each year in the UK. These cages and crates severely restrict the animals’ movement, preventing them from engaging in natural behaviours such as foraging, dust bathing, nest building, and rooting in straw or soil.

Polling conducted by the RSPCA reveals that 77% of people in Wales oppose the use of cages for farm animals. Despite this, over half of the population (57%) are unaware of farrowing crates, where sows spend up to 15 weeks of their lives. A staggering 82% of those polled oppose the use of cages for hens, and 71% are against the use of farrowing crates across Wales.

While the Welsh Government has shown a commitment to limiting the use of cages for farm animals through its Animal Welfare Plan, the RSPCA warns that without broader legislative support from the UK Government, the necessary changes could take years to implement.

Emily Harris, Campaigns Manager at the RSPCA, stressed the importance of treating all animals with kindness and respect. “Keeping farmed animals in cages is an outdated practice that has no place in modern society, particularly in a country that prides itself on having some of the world’s best animal welfare laws,” she said. “We cannot be leaders in animal welfare while farmed animals are still kept in conditions that allow hens little more space than an A4 sheet of paper and sows in crates so small they can’t even turn around.”

Harris added, “It is time to End the Cage Age and move towards a future where cages are a thing of the past.”

Nearly 18,000 people have already backed the charity’s campaign, calling on the next UK Government to consult on banning cages. The RSPCA’s polling shows that 96% of the public believe keeping farmed animals in cages is unacceptable, with 73% opposing the practice if it is not in the welfare interests of the animals—this figure rises to 77% in Wales.

Despite the growing popularity of free-range eggs, which now make up nearly 67% of all egg sales in the UK, 30% of hens are still kept in cages. Additionally, 60% of adult female pigs spend up to 15 weeks a year in crates. In July 2024 alone, the UK produced 86,000 tonnes of pig meat, and during the second quarter of the year, 249 million dozen eggs were produced for human consumption—22% of these eggs came from caged hens.

Emily Harris also highlighted the issue of transparency in food labelling. “Shoppers who choose to buy free-range eggs may not realise that pre-packaged products such as cakes, biscuits, pies, and quiches could contain eggs from caged hens. Unlike boxes of eggs, which are clearly marked, companies are not required to declare the type of eggs used in these products. This is unfair to the public, who overwhelmingly oppose the use of cages.”

The RSPCA is urging the UK Government to launch an urgent consultation on banning cages by January 2025. The charity calls on MPs to express their support by writing to the Secretary of State for Defra, the Rt Hon Steve Reed MP.

The campaign has also been highlighted by the story of Posy and Maud, two former caged hens adopted by Catherine Peerless from Kent. When first adopted, the hens were in poor condition, with large bald patches and a lack of movement. However, under Catherine’s care, their feathers have regrown, and they are now thriving, engaging in natural behaviours such as dust bathing and scratching in compost.

Catherine shared her joy in watching the hens experience these activities for the first time. “Hens are much more affectionate and clever than people think, which makes it all the more heartbreaking to know that millions are still kept in cages,” she said.

The RSPCA is encouraging the public to support the campaign by visiting RSPCA’s End the Cage Age campaign page.

Farming

Judicial review granted for hundreds of farmers and landowners in Wales

Published

4 days ago

January 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

OVER three hundred Welsh farmers and landowners have been granted the right to legally challenge Green GEN Cymru’s ‘unlawful behaviour’ at the High Court.

The collective filed a judicial review application on behalf of the community groups, Justice for Wales and CPRW, on four separate grounds, including claims that the energy company has acted unlawfully and with disregard for biosecurity and the environment, while trying to gain access to private land to conduct surveys for three major overhead pylon routes.

The proposal will see the energy infrastructure and pylons spanning 200 km across Powys, Ceredigion, Carmarthen, and Montgomeryshire in Wales and across the Welsh border into Shropshire, in the West Midlands of England.

Mrs Justice Jefford granted permission on four grounds – including abuse of power and procedural impropriety – during the three-and-a-half-hour hearing at Cardiff Civil Justice Centre on Tuesday, January 20.

A two-day hearing is expected to take place in April 2026, date to be confirmed.

The judge also accepted an undertaking from Green GEN Cymru that it would not enter land using s.172 powers – the right given to acquiring authorities to enter land to conduct surveys or valuations under the Housing and Planning Act 2016 – until an urgent interim relief application hearing can be held.

Natalie Barstow, founder of Justice for Wales, said: “This is a moment of vindication. For months, we have been left feeling unsafe in our own homes and stripped of our power as farmers and landowners.

“This is not a protest against renewable energy; this is about standing up for what is right. Our right to dignity and to have a voice, and for the future of our land, wildlife, and livelihoods.

“Since we began this battle, hundreds of other farmers and landowners across Wales have come forward with similar stories, and we’ve been supported by many generous donations to fund the legal challenge. We knew we weren’t alone in our concerns, but the response demonstrates it is a far wider issue than we initially feared, and why it is so important that Green GEN’s conduct and protocols are properly scrutinised.

“We said we will not be bullied into submission, and this judgment is just the first foot forward in our fight for justice.”

Mary Smith, a lawyer at New South Law, the law firm representing the impacted communities, said: “Holding acquiring authority status does not entitle a company to disregard the limits of its statutory powers or the rights of the people affected.

“The Court’s decision confirms that Green GEN Cymru must be held to the same legal standards as any other public body when exercising intrusive powers over private land. This case is about restoring fairness, accountability, and respect for the communities whose livelihoods and environments are at stake.”

Farming

New rules to make Welsh lamb pricing clearer set to begin next week

Published

2 weeks ago

January 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Mandatory carcass grading and price reporting will be required in slaughterhouses from Wednesday, January 28

WELSH sheep farmers are set to see new rules introduced next week aimed at making the lamb market fairer and more transparent.

From Wednesday (Jan 28), slaughterhouses in Wales will be required to classify sheep carcasses and report prices using a standardised system. The Welsh Government says the move will improve consistency in grading, make price information easier to compare, and help build confidence for farmers selling stock.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies announced the change during the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) Farmhouse Breakfast event at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff.

He said the measures would support the industry by ensuring a consistent methodology for classifying carcasses in slaughterhouses, promoting transparency, fairness and productivity within the sheep market.

“Our iconic Welsh lamb is celebrated around the world for its outstanding quality and high production standards,” he said. “These measures will implement a consistent methodology for classifying sheep carcasses in slaughterhouses, promoting transparency, fairness, and increased productivity within the sheep market.”

The regulations bring the sheep sector into line with rules already used for beef and pork.

Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales chief executive José Peralta said the changes would allow for greater data capture and analysis and improve transparency within the supply chain.

He said: “The new regulations, which now align with a similar position for cattle and pigs, will allow for greater data capture and analysis to be undertaken and support increased transparency within the sector. As a sector we must seek all opportunities for greater transparency within the supply chain to ensure that choices can be made from an informed position.”

The Welsh Government says the new approach is part of a wider UK framework, with similar arrangements already operating elsewhere.

During his address, the Deputy First Minister also pointed to further changes expected in 2026, including the planned introduction of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, which the Welsh Government describes as a new partnership between the people of Wales and farmers.

The scheme is intended to support the sustainable production of food while also responding to the climate and nature emergency.

The Welsh Government has also confirmed its commitment to financial support during the transition, with up to £238 million committed to the Universal layer and the legacy Basic Payment Scheme in 2026.

Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said: “I would like to reiterate the Welsh Government’s commitment to supporting Welsh family farms, not just in the short term but also in the long run. Our goal is to prioritise stability for the farming industry, ensuring to balance this with sustainability at its very core.”

He added that supporting farmers through the change would be a priority, with consistent advice and support offered across the sector.

Building fairness within the agricultural supply chain remains a key Welsh Government priority, which it says is also integral to food security.

Farming

Natural Resources Wales urges farmers to follow safe slurry spreading rules

Published

2 weeks ago

January 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NRW is reminding farmers across Wales to take key steps to prevent pollution as the organic manure spreading season re-opens.

During the autumn and winter “closed periods”, restrictions were in place to stop slurry and other high-nitrogen manures being spread, helping reduce the risk of agricultural pollution.

Grassland spreading can resume from Thursday (Jan 16), with spreading on tillage land re-opening on Friday (Jan 31). However, NRW said a number of controls under the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations (CoAPR) will remain in force until the end of February.

Those restrictions include limits on application rates — no more than 30m³ of slurry per hectare, or eight tonnes of poultry manure, in a single application — with at least three weeks required between applications.

Before spreading organic manure, producers must also carry out field inspections to assess weather and soil conditions, slope, ground cover and proximity to watercourses, to help reduce the risk of runoff.

Farm businesses are expected to plan and record all applications in their Nitrogen Management Plan to ensure nutrients match soil and crop need and remain within nitrogen limits.

Spreading is prohibited on waterlogged, flooded, snow-covered or frozen ground — including soil that has been frozen for more than 12 hours in the previous 24 hours.

NRW said its teams will continue to support farmers while monitoring compliance.

Simon Griffiths, team leader of NRW’s Agricultural Pollution Inspection Team, said: “As the closed periods come to an end, we want to remind farmers, tenants, landlords and contractors of the restrictions which remain in place until the end of February.

“This means anyone considering spreading organic manure needs to ensure the conditions are suitable before work starts.

“NRW is committed to protecting the environment and any instances of pollution will be investigated and appropriate enforcement action taken.”

NRW is urging farmers and members of the public to report pollution incidents immediately via its online “report it” form or by calling 0300 065 3000.