Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of banning the caging of commercially reared egg-laying hens.

The Government shares the public's high regard for animal welfare. We are delivering a series of ambitious reforms, as outlined in the Action Plan for Animal Welfare. We are actively exploring options for improving the welfare of farm animals and are considering the case for introducing further reforms, in areas such as the use of cages for laying hens.

In coming to an assessment of the potential merits of banning cages for laying hens we will wish to consult all interested organisations.