Farming

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

Published

2 years 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 “Keeping farmed animals in cages is an outdated practice that has no place in modern society, particularly in a country that prides itself on having some of the world’s best animal welfare laws,” she said.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

Badger Trust urges next Welsh Government to keep non-lethal TB policy

Published

4 days ago

April 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Charity says Wales should continue science-led approach as bovine TB cases fall

BADGER Trust has called on the next Welsh Government to maintain a science-led and non-lethal approach to tackling bovine tuberculosis.

The charity says Wales should continue to focus on cattle testing, farm biosecurity and support for farmers, rather than wildlife intervention.

According to Badger Trust, bovine TB cases in Wales had fallen by 13.6% by the end of 2025, without any wildlife culling. It said this compared with a 5% fall in England over the same period.

The charity said 5.3% of cattle herds in Wales were not officially TB-free at the end of 2025, down 0.4 percentage points on the previous year. It said 567 new herd incidents were recorded during the year, alongside a 27% reduction in early cattle slaughter.

Badger Trust said bovine TB remains a serious threat to cattle health, but argued that the best response is a cattle-focused policy, including more frequent and enhanced testing, improved farm hygiene, and non-slaughter options for cattle testing positive.

The charity said: “The premature culling of cattle due to a failed bovine TB test is outdated and unnecessary. Instead, strict segregation is an effective alternative.

“The main focus must be on eliminating the reservoir of bovine TB in the national herd in preparation for cattle vaccination.”

Badger Trust also argued that bovine TB can remain dormant in cattle and in the environment for long periods before being detected, which can lead to mistaken assumptions that infection has entered a closed herd from wildlife.

It said the disease can also be spread through contaminated vehicles, workwear, manure and slurry if proper biosecurity measures are not followed.

The charity added: “Focusing on badgers distracts from the real issue, as DNA testing shows that 94-95% of bovine TB infections are transmitted directly between cattle.

“The only effective way to combat bovine TB is to address it at its source: within the cattle population.”

Badger Trust is urging the next Welsh Government to “hold its nerve” and continue with a science-led, evidence-based, non-lethal policy.

Nigel Palmer, Chief Executive of Badger Trust, said the charity wanted Wales to continue “leading by example” in its approach to tackling the disease.

Badger Trust says it welcomes the end of intensive badger culling licences in England in 2026, but remains opposed to presenting badger vaccination as the main solution to bovine TB. It argues that improved cattle testing and stronger farm biosecurity offer a more effective and humane way forward.

The charity also warned that badgers face a separate threat from changes linked to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which it says could weaken protections for badger setts in development areas.

Badger Trust is the leading voice for badgers in England and Wales and works through a network of local badger groups. Its Badgers Belong Here campaign promotes badger protection and public education.

Farming

FUW warns food security must be treated as national security

Published

4 days ago

April 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Union says rising fuel and fertiliser costs are putting pressure on farmers and food supply chains

THE FARMERS’ Union of Wales has warned that food security must be treated as a UK-wide priority as global instability continues to drive up costs for farmers.

FUW President Ian Rickman and Deputy President Dai Miles met Defra Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Dame Angela Eagle MP in Westminster to discuss the impact of international events on farming, production costs and the resilience of food supplies.

They were also joined by Wales Office Minister Anna McMorrin MP.

The union said the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and Gulf region had added significant pressure to key agricultural inputs and energy costs.

According to the FUW, fertiliser prices, particularly urea and ammonium nitrate, have risen by between 20% and 30% since the escalation of the conflict.

The union is calling for greater transparency around fertiliser stocks and distribution across the UK.

Fuel costs have also risen sharply, with the FUW saying red diesel has effectively doubled in price in some cases. Wider agricultural fuel and energy costs are continuing to rise across the sector, placing further pressure on farm businesses already operating on tight margins.

The union warned that these cost increases are feeding through the entire food supply chain, affecting production, transport, processing and manufacturing, and are likely to contribute further to food price inflation.

The FUW repeated its call for a UK-wide legislative food security metric, which it says should be taken forward by the next Welsh Government in collaboration with the UK Government.

It said food security is a cross-UK issue, affecting all four nations because of the closely integrated nature of agri-food supply chains.

The union also pointed to recent government evidence, including Defra’s 2024 Food Security Report and its 2025 national security assessment on biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse.

It said these highlighted long-term risks to food production, including climate change, nature decline, animal and plant disease, supply chain disruption and exposure to volatile global markets.

FUW President Ian Rickman said: “We welcomed the opportunity to meet Minister Eagle and Minister McMorrin, and highlight the continued impact of recent global instability on Welsh farmers.

“Food security is national security, and recent global instability has made that clearer than ever.

“Farmers are facing surging cost pressures, particularly from fertilisers and sharply rising fuel costs such as red diesel, which in some cases have doubled.

“These are forces far beyond their control, yet they directly threaten the resilience of our food system.

“We urgently need a coordinated UK-wide approach that recognises the strategic importance of domestic food production and reduces our exposure to volatile international markets.

“With that must come regular and meaningful engagement between Defra and agricultural stakeholders across the UK, including the FUW, particularly on policy areas that remain reserved to the UK Government.”

Farming

Search launched for Wales Woman Farmer of the Year

Published

4 days ago

April 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NOMINATIONS are now open for the 28th Wales Woman Farmer of the Year Award, celebrating the vital contribution made by women across Welsh agriculture.

NFU Cymru, together with sponsor NFU Mutual, has launched the search for the 2026 winner of the prestigious award, which recognises the role women play in farming businesses, rural communities and the wider agricultural industry.

Now in its 28th year, the NFU Cymru/NFU Mutual Wales Woman Farmer of the Year competition has highlighted women from a wide range of farming sectors and backgrounds across Wales.

The winner of the 2026 award will receive £500 and a Welsh Royal Crystal bowl.

The closing date for nominations is Friday, May 29. The award will be presented on Thursday, July 23, on the NFU Cymru stand at the Royal Welsh Show.

NFU Cymru Deputy President Paul Williams, who will be one of this year’s judges, said: “The Wales Woman Farmer of the Year Award is there to champion the contribution that women make to farming businesses and wider rural life.

“Over the many years we’ve been holding this prestigious award, we’ve had a variety of winners, all representing different sectors and parts of the farming industry, and we look forward to receiving applications for the 2026 title and celebrating this great award.”

Heather Holgate, NFU Cymru Group Secretary and NFU Mutual Agent, who will judge the competition alongside Paul Williams, said: “For generations, women have played a crucial role in Welsh agriculture, from running farm businesses to leading diversification enterprises to increase farm income, and NFU Mutual is proud to support this award.

“We hope the award inspires other women in Wales to take centre stage and influence farming in the future.”

Anyone interested in entering, or nominating someone for the Wales Woman Farmer of the Year 2026 title, can visit the NFU Cymru website to complete an application form.

Forms are also available from the NFU Cymru office by calling 01982 554200.