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Farmed Animals: Cages and Crates
16 June 2025
Lead MP
Irene Campbell
North Ayrshire and Arran
Lab
Responding Minister
Daniel Zeichner
Tags
Economy
Word Count: 17167
Other Contributors: 18
At a Glance
Irene Campbell raised concerns about farmed animals: cages and crates in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The debate aims to encourage a more rapid solution and approach to phasing out cages for farmed animals, with a focus on implementing free-range systems and better labelling of products. The Government is urged to take action based on consensus from various organisations that support banning farrowing crates over shorter timelines.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The petition titled 'End the use of cages and crates for all farmed animals' has reached over 105,000 signatures. It highlights the suffering of millions of farmed animals confined in cages, including laying hens and mother pigs nursing piglets in narrow crates. Sows spend nearly a quarter of their lives in cramped conditions that prevent natural behaviours such as nesting or rooting.
Alex Mayer
Lab
Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard
Mr. Mayer agreed with the lead MP's stance, emphasizing the need to learn from other countries and highlighting the conditions in which sows are kept on some British pig farms.
Ben Maguire
LD
North Cornwall
Supports the call for higher welfare standards and argues that until the Government applies UK animal welfare standards to imported food, British farmers will be undercut by cheaper imports.
South Devon
Vocalises support for ending cage age and criticizes the Government's funding priorities, noting that more than £67 billion is spent on defence compared to just £7.4 billion on DEFRA.
Charlie Dewhirst
Con
Bridlington and The Wolds
Asserted that Britain is indeed a world leader in animal welfare despite being ranked 9th for cage-free animals. Emphasised the importance of maintaining high standards in trade deals to avoid importing meat from countries with lower welfare. Agrees with the hon. Member and highlights that the industry is making strides to move away from traditional crating systems, noting an 8% change in recent years. Discussed industry estimates indicating around 8% of the British indoor pig herd are now flexibly farrowed, where sows can be confined temporarily to protect piglets.
Winchester
Acknowledges the high welfare standards in UK farming but calls for a comprehensive national strategy that involves full consultation with all stakeholders and includes clear funding commitments and practical guidance.
Neil Hudson
Con
Epping Forest
More than 105,000 people have signed the petition, including 182 in his constituency of Epping Forest. He supports banning cages or close confinement systems where clear scientific evidence demonstrates that they are detrimental to animal welfare.
West Dorset
Raised concerns about imports driving up costs to consumers and making them more attractive compared to UK products, suggesting proper support is needed.
Iqbal Mohamed
Ind
Dewsbury and Batley
Caring for animals is an ethical issue in Islam and a reflection of our values. Despite UK legislation, practices like farrowing crates remain legal but increasingly indefensible. The industry should speed up the transition by supporting farmers already implementing new systems.
James Naish
Lab
Rushcliffe
The hon. Member expressed support for engaging farmers in conversations with animal welfare activists to find a balanced approach towards improving pig farming practices. Highlights the practical difficulties farmers face when trying to end certain practices due to land costs and asks how commercial objectives can be achieved while maintaining animal welfare standards. Highlighted the dangers facing stockpeople in alternative systems and the need for training and adaptation.
Jane Smith
Lab
Yorkshire
The MP emphasises the importance of upholding high animal welfare standards in trade negotiations and ensuring that UK farmers are not unfairly undercut by other countries with lower standards.
Joe Morris
Lab
Hexham
The UK has some of the highest food safety, animal welfare and environmental standards for food production in the world but can go further. He criticised previous administrations for breaking promises on animal welfare.
Josh Newbury
Lab
Cannock Chase
Stressed the importance of labelling to empower farmers and ensure transparency for shoppers. Emphasised that without clear labels, consumers cannot identify high-welfare products, hindering the transition from cage systems.
Mark Francois
Con
Rayleigh and Wickford
The right hon. Member declared his interest as a patron of the Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation and highlighted Sir David Amess's passion for banning farrowing crates, agreeing with the lead MP on this issue.
Sarah Dyke
LD
Glastonbury and Somerton
Welcomed the debate and thanked petitioners in her constituency for supporting improved animal welfare standards.
Steve Yemm
Lab
Mansfield
The hon. Member highlighted the concerns of his constituents regarding the use of cages and crates for farmed animals, emphasizing the desire for higher welfare standards in farms while acknowledging that many farmers also seek to improve animal welfare.
Terry Jermy
Lab
South West Norfolk
Acknowledges the significant interest in his constituency regarding environmental issues, climate change and animal welfare, emphasizing that over 7 million farmed animals are confined to cages annually. Pointed out that farrowing crates restrict a sow’s movement, preventing normal behaviours such as nest building.
Tom Hayes
Lab
Bournemouth East
Reaffirmed commitment to advancing animal welfare, noting the petition support from his constituents. Noted that the European Commission is considering proposals to ban cages and crates, with legislative proposals expected in 2026.
Tony Vaughan
Lab
Folkestone and Hythe
Asked whether a financial incentive would be necessary to phase out cages and crates, given that the UK is not seeing widespread change otherwise.
Government Response
Daniel Zeichner
The Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs
Government Response
The Minister thanked Members for their contributions, acknowledged the importance of high welfare standards in farming, and committed to working closely with sectors to improve animal welfare while maintaining a sustainable industry. The Government has provided financial assistance to laying hen and pullet farmers in England through allocated grant funding via the animal health and welfare pathway. Additionally, the Minister highlighted efforts towards reducing confinement practices for pigs and hens, noting that 18% of eggs are now produced in enriched colony cages with free-range eggs accounting for 70%. The Government is considering a ban on farrowing crates but acknowledges the complexity involved due to food security and trade considerations. Acknowledged industry's move away from farrowing crates and commitment to improving the farrowing experience. Stressed the need for careful evaluation of potential cage and crate bans on trade, noting that such actions could inadvertently lead to higher imports from countries still using lower welfare standards. Emphasised the importance of aligning with EU plans to phase out cages while protecting UK farmers from being undercut by low welfare production overseas.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.