Animal Welfare Reforms

Published on : 21 Dec 2025

In response to the Government’s proposed Animal Welfare reforms, the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) has set out its position on plans affecting the future of egg production in England and Wales.

Gary Ford, Head of Producer Engagement and Strategy at the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA), said:

“British free-range egg producers have been leading the way on hen welfare for many years and have worked extremely hard to meet a retail-led transition to cage-free production. This has required significant investment and long-term planning by producers committed to raising welfare standards across the sector.

“Free-range egg production is inherently land-intensive, which means planning regulations must also evolve if higher-welfare systems are to expand in line with demand. Without a more supportive and practical planning framework, producers will face real barriers to delivering the additional free-range capacity required.

“BFREPA is clear that any move away from colony cages in England and Wales must be matched by equivalent standards for imports; otherwise, we simply risk importing the very same eggs that we seek to ban. This would undermine animal welfare outcomes, domestic production and food security. In short, it would be a betrayal of British egg producers and do nothing to reassure consumers.

“Maintaining a strong, self-sufficient domestic egg sector is essential for food security, supply chain resilience and continued oversight of welfare standards. Within the UK, bodies such as the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) play a vital role in enforcing welfare and food safety legislation—assurance and oversight that does not extend to overseas production systems.

“If the Government is committed to delivering a coherent and effective Animal Welfare Strategy, it is important that imports, planning policy and domestic production are addressed together. British free-range egg producers stand ready to play their part, but higher welfare outcomes must be supported by practical, joined-up policy.”