Use of cages for farmed animals debated by MPs

• Parliament TV: Watch the debate live
• Read the debate transcript
• Petitions Committee
• Follow the Committee on Twitter and join the discussion using #AnimalCagesDebate

Matt Vickers MP, a member of the Petitions Committee, has been asked by the Committee to open the debate. MPs from all parties can take part, and Victoria Prentis MP, Minister for Farming, Fisheries and Food, will respond for the Government.

End the Cage Age for all farmed animals

• See the petition

The petition, which has more than 109,000 signatures, states: “Every year across the UK, millions of farmed animals are kept in cages, unable to express their natural behaviours and experiencing huge suffering. These inhumane systems cannot be the future of British farming. The UK Government must legislate to ‘End the Cage Age’ for all farmed animals.”

In response to the petition, provided on 20 August 2021, the Government said: “The Government is committed to improving farm animal welfare standards and is currently exploring options for introducing further reforms, including phasing out the use of cages in farming.”

What are petitions debates?

Petitions debates are 'general' debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.

Further information

• Find out more about the role of the Petitions Committee
• Find out more about select committees

Image: PA