As part of the government’s world-leading Animal Welfare Strategy, announced in December, DEFRA has launched two consultations: one on ending cages for hens, and one on lamb welfare during castration and tail docking. Both consultations close at the end of the day on Monday 9 March.
The government is interested in responses from organisations and members of the public. Every consultation response from animal advocates makes it more likely that there will be an end to cages for millions of hens and that lambs will benefit from pain relief during significant procedures.
How to respond to the cages consultation
Just a decade ago, only 50% of hens were free from cages in the UK; in 2026, that number is around 83%. With your help, this practice could be banned altogether – improving the lives of over seven million hens every year.
You can respond to the consultation on cages here.
To help you contribute to the consultation on ending cages for hens, the Centre for Animal Welfare Policy has put together guidance on responding. It should only take about ten minutes to respond to the consultation.
While individual responses are much better, if you do not have time to complete a personalised submission, you can fill out Compassion in World Farming’s e-action telling DEFRA you support a ban on cages. It will only take 3 minutes!
How to respond to the consultation on lamb welfare
Guidance put together by the Centre for Animal Welfare Policy on responding to the consultation is available here. It should take about ten minutes to respond to the consultation.
You can respond to the consultation on lamb welfare here.
With your help, we can ensure that all animals have a life worth living, and that as many animals as possible have a good life, as is the aspiration of the government’s Animal Welfare Strategy.
