§ Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to encourage a switch towards more advanced well-managed cages for egg-laying hens. [128684]
§ Mr. BradshawThe Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2002, lay down specific requirements in terms of space and design which cages for laying hens must meet. From 2012, cage systems must be enriched to meet additional requirements. Both the industry and Defra have research programmes which aim to evaluate the emergence and development of new systems of production.