Is there a better alternative?

Call For Improved Farming Methods

The Government's reservations are slightly at odds with its own animal welfare committee which has issued a report on the subject of battery hens.

The Farm Animal Welfare Council said intensive farming cages did cause suffering and should be phased out. But it also said existing alternatives, including free range flocks, encouraged aggression and cannibalism.

It called for more research into better systems of farming before action is taken to ban battery cages. It also wants better labelling of eggs to help consumers.

Minister to consult chicken farmers

Some of the suggestions for further research include breeding birds which are less aggressive, or experimenting with different kinds of feed.

The council chairman, Professor Sir Colin Spedding, said there was some evidence that birds became more aggressive when they were not given feed containing animal proteins. He said: "The fact is at the moment we do not have an alternative that is satisfactory from a welfare point of view to the battery system whether it is economic or not."

Animal rights group disappointed

About 85% of Britain's egg-laying hens are reared in battery cages.