Battery Egg Ban Welcomed

Animal welfare groups have welcomed news that battery-farmed eggs will be banned by 2012 - but say it does not go far enough.

The Government this week said it would press ahead with a European Union ban.

Battery cages are generally used for chickens kept to produce eggs rather than for meat.

Animal welfare groups such as the RSPCA say each hen is crammed into a space which is often smaller than an A4 sheet of paper.

RSPCA regional spokeswoman Sophie Wilkinson said: "We welcome the decision to uphold the ban on battery cages.

"A huge number of people don't realise the conditions birds are kept in. What we would like the Government to do is ban all cages. We are urging consumers to choose barn or free range."

Under the EU rule, egg farmers will still be allowed to use "enriched cages" where chickens are confined in cages that have a nesting area and a perch.

Farmers have said they need more time to adjust to the rules.

Figures show 62 per cent of eggs sold in the UK come from hens kept in battery cages.