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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 15th February 2012
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UK compliance with battery cage egg ban
Image: dailylife.com
Government confirms UK battery-cage free

The government has confirmed that the United Kingdom is now completely free of battery cages. The egg industry and the government attracted criticism last month when it was found that 300,000 chickens were still being kept in outlawed battery cages on a total of 30 farms across the UK despite the ban on such cages having come into force on January 1st 2012. The outstanding cases constituted approximately 1% of the UK's chicken population.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) had originally projected the achievement of full compliance at February 1st 2012. This projection was underlined by the threat of legal action against farmers that continued to use battery cages. It is thought that approximately 46 million hens remain in battery cages across the European Union, and the European Commission has begun legal proceedings against Spain, Romania, Portugal, Poland, the Netherlands, Latvia, Hungary, Italy, Greece, France, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Belgium. 

Compassion in World Farming has welcomed the news, and has declared itself ‘delighted’ that the UK ‘is now rid of the cruel cages, 13 long years after the decision was taken to ban them’. Commenting, Senior Campaigns Manager Emma Slawinski said “We were horrified to learn that there were still battery cages in this country in January, as the industry and government had been confidently saying the UK would be in line with the new law. But we’re delighted that DEFRA has acted quickly and made sure hens in this country are no longer kept in these cruel systems. Now the UK can put all the necessary pressure on the European Commission and other member states without being accused of not having our own house in order.”

Ms Slawinski added that the extent of non-compliance in the UK was 'nowhere near as bad' as in states like Spain and Italy. It was Ms Slawinski's opinion that the aforementioned states ‘don’t seem to have made any effort at all to comply with the ban’.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.