In response to this, 2025 marks a target year where major UK retailers are set to pledge to a cage-free egg sourcing, posing significant challenges that could impact manufacturers, retailers, and consumers.
Background:
The practice of caging hens began in the 1930s – initially claimed by many farmers to improve hygiene and survival rates. Over the decades, as egg production has taken on a larger, industrial scale with technological advancements, regulatory bodies have increasingly implemented stricter measures to protect public health and hen welfare.
In 2012, Europe and the UK took a significant step by banning conventional battery cages, as consumers demanded for more ethical and sustainable food sources. However, the transition to enriched cages was criticised by animal welfare groups such as the RSPCA among other organisations arguing that these still restrict many natural behaviours of the hens.
Where are we now?
In response to legislation and rising demand for higher welfare products, major supermarket chains in the UK pledged to go cage-free by 2025, with major retailers like Tesco, Iceland, Asda, Lidl & Morrisons committing to this deadline, although specific phase-out dates may vary for each retailer to complete this phase-out. Morrisons has notably achieved 100% cage-free eggs in their Savers range and promises that all eggs in their products will be cage-free by 2025.
Moreover, recent allegations of welfare malpractices made by the Animal Justice Project may accelerate this transition, attempting influencing both consumer behaviour and industry policy, Prompting retailers and producers to accelerate the shift to cage-free eggs, and in turn driving reformulation of existing and new products to align with consumer expectations for ethical standards.
Industry Adaptation
While the shift to cage-free egg production is seen as a positive development by many, it presents considerable challenges. Research suggests that transitioning to a cage-free system can increase egg prices by up to 65%, as it often involves significant upfront investment to modify or completely overhaul existing housing systems, posing a significant barrier, especially for farmers operating on thin margins.
