Last year, the European Union banned the use of tiny, barren battery cages for hens, with egg producers in its member states required to use "enriched" cages instead, from 1st January this year. Although these enriched cages are far from ideal, they do allow some natural behaviour. The old ones allow none.

Unfortunately, 14 EU countries are dragging their heels and the UK is one. Government inspectors found that 30 British egg producers were still using illegal cages, containing a total of about 300,000 hens.

These cages are the epitome of cruelty, not to mention illegal. Tell British egg producers to stop breaking the law and subjecting their hens to unnecessary suffering.

We the undersigned ask that you ensure British egg producers stop using the illegal and exceeding cruel barren battery cages immediately.

These cages were banned last year and it is embarrassing for the UK and its egg producers to be seen dragging their heels on animal welfare issues.

Consumers do not want eggs from hens subject to terrible conditions and it is time the British egg industry paid attention. At the very least, it should be adhering to legal welfare regulations, and preferably leading the way in producing cruelty-free eggs.

Thank you for your attention.