SCOTLAND could become the first part of the UK to totally ban egg companies from keeping their chickens in cages.
The use of battery-style cages for birds was banned in the UK in 2012. However, there are still more than 1.1 million chickens in Scotland kept in “enriched cages”, which provide birds with more room to nest, roost and scratch than the smaller battery cages. Enriched cages have at least 750 sq cm of cage area per hen, versus 600 sq cm for battery cages.
Ministers believe this option “most effectively balances improvements in bird welfare and ensures sustainability for the laying hen sector”. He said: “Significant progress has already been made in recognising the importance of animal welfare, both in government policies and the demand from the public in the choice they make when shopping.
“In the coming weeks we will also call for evidence on the use of cages in the gamebird and quail egg and meat sectors ahead of consulting on phasing out cages in those sectors in due course.