In 2023, less than a quarter of UK eggs originated from enriched caged hens, marking a significant shift from a decade prior, according to recent data.

Government statistics unveil a notable drop below the 25% mark last year, reaching a mere 23%, signifying a substantial change from the past.

A decade ago, over half (51%) of UK hens were caged, highlighting a remarkable transformation glorified by animal welfare advocates.

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While battery cages have been banned in the UK and EU since 2012, enriched cages, offering an enhanced environment, remain in use.

Despite previous pledges by the government, including a promise of a consultation on banning all cages by the end of 2022, no further actions have been taken, despite strong public support for a ban.

Responding to the latest statistics, the Humane League UK urges the government to pass an outright ban on cages.

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Animal welfare manager at the Humane League, Mia Fernyhough, stressed the necessity of government action to prevent hens from remaining trapped in cages.

Over 2500 major food corporations have committed to cage-free practices, including 146 global commitments by multinational giants.

France has outlawed new cage installations, while Austria, Luxembourg, and Switzerland have already banned all cage systems for hens.

Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia are set to implement bans in the near future, while in the US, bans on battery cages have been enacted in 11 different states.