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Scotland opens consultation on hen cage ban
There are currently more than 1.1 million caged hens in Scotland.

Country could become first in the UK to outlaw the practice.

The Scottish government has launched a consultation on banning the use of cages to house laying hens.

Ministers are seeking to ensure that hens have the freedom to exhibit their normal behaviours and that welfare standards reflect public values. Their preferred option is a ban introduced in instalments between 2030 and 2034.

A survey conducted by YouGov in 2020 found that 77 per cent of the British public supported a complete ban on the use of cages in farming

Battery cages have been illegal in the UK since 2012, but ‘enriched’ cages, which offer more room than battery cages, are still in use. As of February 2024, there were more than 1.1 millions caged hens in Scotland out of a total egg-production population of almost 6 million.

If a complete ban on hen cages in Scotland were introduced, it would be the first in the UK.

In Europe, Luxembourg and Austria have already made it illegal to use cages for hens, and other countries, including Germany and Slovakia, are planning to introduce bans. A planned consultation by the UK government was abandoned last year.

Jim Fairlie, agriculture minister, said: “As we committed to in our Programme for Governments, we want to improve the welfare of laying hens to ensure their confinement does not negatively impact their normal behaviours.

“Significant progress has already been made in recognising the importance of animal welfare – both in government policies and the demand from the public in the choice they make when shopping. If implemented, the ban would be another example of Scotland leading the way in improving the welfare of animals by being the first UK nation to ban the practice.”

The veterinary profession is among the sectors that the Scottish government is keen to hear from.

Mr Fairlie added: “I would encourage everyone with an interest in this issue to take part to help us shape how we protect the welfare of laying hens.”

The consultation is open until 25 June 2024. Responses can be submitted online.

 

Image © Shutterstock

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.