The British Veterinary Association (BVA), alongside the British Veterinary Poultry Association (BVPA), has renewed its call for a phase-out of all cage systems for laying hens, arguing that even enriched cages fall short of acceptable welfare standards. The veterinary bodies say enriched colony cages still restrict natural behaviours such as wing-flapping, perching and dust-bathing, and that overall welfare is “significantly poorer” than in cage-free systems like barn and free-range. They are urging government to commit to a managed transition away from cages, with financial support for producers and safeguards on imports. However, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has pushed back,…