Activists hand giant ‘cage-free keys’ to Britain’s prime ministers

Animal welfare campaigners staged a protest in Parliament Square on Tuesday, urging the Government to ban cages for laying hens.

The demonstration saw activists from The Humane League UK place oversized “cage-free” keys next to statues including Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George and Benjamin Disraeli, accompanied by a chicken,

It is understood that the protest was designed to highlight what campaigners describe as the Government’s power to “unlock” cages for millions of hens.

The protest comes as ministers continue to consider a potential ban on cages for laying hens following a public consultation that closed earlier this year.

Campaigners argue legislation is needed to complete the UK’s transition away from caged egg production, warning that progress could stall without government intervention despite widespread retailer adoption of cage-free sourcing.

The Humane League UK head of programs Coredlia Britton said the UK was already “overwhelmingly cage-free” and argued legislation would formalise a transition already embraced by much of the retail sector.

Actress Dame Joanna Lumley also backed the campaign, added: “These are animals who can feel, who want to move, who have their own personalities. The Government has said they want to end cages for laying hens, and that is wonderful. But it only matters if it actually happens.”

According to the campaign group, government statistics show only 14% of UK eggs now come from caged hens, down sharply over the past decade. The organisation estimates that a nationwide ban would free around six million hens.

Several major supermarkets, including Aldi UK, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Marks & Spencer and Waitrose, have already moved to fully cage-free shell egg sourcing.

Campaigners also pointed to examples overseas, including Germany, Denmark and California, where bans on cages for laying hens have already been introduced.

However, some retailers have come under fire in recent weeks, including Farmfoods, where activists staged a protest at a golf sponsored event.

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