The Problem with Cages

Caged systems severely restrict hens’ ability to express natural behaviours. Confined to cramped spaces, hens are unable to adequately dustbathe, perch, flap their wings, or move freely, leading to chronic stress, injury, and poor welfare.

Scientific bodies, including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), confirm that cages inherently fail to meet even the most basic welfare needs. Their recommendation is clear: transition to non-cage systems.

Encouraging Progress

Launched in 2007, Compassion in World Farming’s Good Egg Awards encouraged voluntary commitments from leading retailers such as Waitrose, M&S, The Co-op and Sainsbury’s, as well as influential brands like Danone, Hellmann’s and Pret—driving early transition to cage-free shell eggs and ingredient eggs. These companies demonstrated true leadership by investing early in cage-free systems and working closely with their suppliers to prioritise animal welfare.

The UK has made significant strides in cage-free egg production:

2006: 66% of eggs were produced in cages
2016: 50% of eggs were produced in cages
2025: 18% of eggs are produced in cages

As of March 2025, 82% of British hens are now cage-free!

A Global Ripple Effect

McDonald’s US set a powerful precedent in 2016 with its commitment to go cage-free, which sparked a ripple effect across the global food industry. This gave companies a 10-year runway to transition by 2025. By 2023—two years ahead of schedule—McDonald’s had fully delivered on its promise. To date, over 2,700 cage-free commitments have been made worldwide.

Major UK companies like Tesco and producers like Noble Foods and Fairburns followed suit, ensuring supply could meet demand. To support this shift, the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) introduced a new UK barn egg standard in 2019—helping producers transition out of cages while maintaining consistent welfare standards.

Consumers Are Driving Change

UK consumers are increasingly driving the shift toward higher animal welfare standards, with a strong understanding of what cage-free means—thanks in part to clear labelling on shell eggs. This transparency empowers shoppers to make informed, ethical choices and reinforces the business case for responsible sourcing.

A recent poll commissioned by Compassion in World Farming revealed that 75% of Britons consider the use of cages cruel, and 67% would be willing to pay more for cage-free eggs.

With growing public awareness and expectations, consumers now demand that retailers take full responsibility for animal welfare across their supply chains.

The Laggards: Iceland

Despite pledging in 2016 to go cage-free by 2025, Iceland has now abandoned its commitment—putting it out of step with the UK retail market, where 87% of shell eggs are already cage-free. Over 60% of Iceland’s eggs still come from caged hens.

Iceland argues that caged eggs are necessary to keep prices low, yet its caged eggs are currently more expensive than Tesco’s higher-welfare barn eggs (true 30.06.25) —undermining its affordability argument.

Compassion, alongside The Humane League, Open Cages, and the RSPCA, has issued an open letter urging Iceland to reinstate its cage-free pledge.

Failing to act isn’t just a supply chain issue—it’s a reputational risk. Iceland must invest in cage-free eggs and ensure fair prices for its customers.

Consumers are not demanding caged eggs; they’re demanding cheap eggs that are ethically produced.

Why We Need Legislation

Without legislation, companies that delay or avoid change can undercut those acting responsibly. This creates an uneven playing field and undermines progress.

Compassion is calling on Defra to take decisive action by banning the installation of new cage systems and committing to phase-out existing cages for egg-laying hens as part of its Animal Welfare Strategy.   To ensure fairness and uphold welfare standards, we are also calling for equivalent requirements on all imported eggs and egg products.

Legislation would:

Set a clear, enforceable baseline for cage-free eggs
Ensure fair competition
Bring lagging companies up to standard
Provide certainty for producers and investors

Challenges Are Real—But So Is the Responsibility

Companies that delayed their transition now face compounded challenges:

Rising food inflation
Increased energy, labour, and feed costs
The cost-of-living crisis
Financial impact of avian influenza

These pressures are real—but they highlight the importance of early action. Companies that committed years ago had time to plan, invest, and absorb costs gradually. Those that delayed are now paying the price—financially and reputationally.

What Companies Must Do Now

To stay on track and meet their cage-free commitments, companies must:

Set Clear, Time-Bound Goals to get the job done: Despite setbacks, companies in danger of missing their 2025 deadline, must prioritise their cage-free transition to deliver on commitments in the coming year.
Engage Suppliers Early: Support producers and incentivise investment in the best cage-free systems.
Empower Consumers: Use clear labelling and public education to build demand for higher-welfare products.
Support National Standards: Advocate for legislation that ensures a level playing field and consistent animal welfare standards.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 deadline is fast approaching, and by the time the next EggTrack report is released (June 2026), we expect companies that made cage-free pledges to have fully delivered on them.

Those that meet their commitments will be recognised as industry leaders and for those that fall short, the spotlight will intensify. They will face mounting pressure to publish transparent, time-bound roadmaps and demonstrate rapid progress—or risk serious reputational damage and loss of consumer and investor trust.

The direction of travel is clear: CAGE-FREE IS THE FUTURE. The question is—who will rise to meet the moment, and who will be left behind?

Why the Future of Eggs Must Be Cage-Free