Uk Farms Still Producing Battery Eggs

Up to 500,000 hens are being kept in the cages, which give them little room to nest, scratch or roost.

The Government criticised other countries that failed to meet the deadline and is disappointed in the British farms that continue to use battery cages.

Peter Stevenson, chief policy adviser for organisation Compassion in World Farming, said, “The Government and the British egg industry always said that British egg producers would be ready on time. I’m sure they meant it sincerely and they’ve been badly let down by these 30 or so farms.”

Defra is confident that the remaining producers will be fully compliant with the new law by February. Fourteen other EU member states also failed to meet the deadline.

Huw Irranca-Davies, shadow food and farming minister for Labour, added, “The Government has criticised other EU nations for failing to comply with the ban, yet it didn’t know that half a million UK hens are still held in illegal cages.

“UK farmers have spent £400 million getting rid of battery cages and the Government must act immediately to ensure that they do not face unfair competition from these illegal eggs,” he added.