We're calling on the SNP candidates to end cages for hens.

There are approximately 12 million egg-laying hens in cages in the UK and roughly 3 million are in Scotland. Cages do not provide enough space for hens to freely move around, or for them to be able to properly perform natural behaviours such as perching, dust-bathing and wing-flapping. Hens in cages are also unable to properly exercise, which can contribute to osteoporosis and bone fractures.

The SNP manifesto states that “we will adopt the highest possible animal welfare standards, including shifting to entirely free range, woodland or barn chicken and egg production.” The Scottish Government also committed to launching a consultation on ending cages for hens as far back as 2021.

Our letter addresses the three SNP leadership candidates, Humza Yousaf, Kate Forbes and Ash Regan, asking them to fulfil this commitment and immediately begin the transition away from cruel and unnecessary cages.

There is significant public, industry and political support for a legislative ban on cages. Nine major companies including Nestlé, Greggs and Nando’s published a statement calling for the Government to do the right thing by banning cages for hens and the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party have also all made commitments to ban cages. Despite avian flu and rising costs across Europe, Denmark recently joined Austria, Switzerland and Germany in banning cages for hens. The European Union is also progressing its plans to do the same.

Want to add your voice to the movement to end cages for hens? Sign our petition to the UK Governments by clicking the button below.