Farming Today - Farming Today This Week

Charlotte Smith visits a farm with 1 million laying hens, as battery cages are phased out across Europe. The replacement cages are more expensive, and UK egg farmers fear they may now lose out to cheap imports. The UK eats a billion eggs a month, and despite the increasing demand for free range, more than half of UK eggs still come from caged hens. The ban on battery cages takes place in 2012, and the British Egg Industry Council says many southern and eastern European countries will not meet the deadline. Farming Today This Week visits a battery unit, a free range farm, and takes a look at the new welfare-friendly cages which will replace the battery cage. Presenter: Charlotte Smith. Producer Melvin Rickarby.