Animal welfare charity The Humane League UK has welcomed the Government’s launch of a consultation on banning cages for laying hens, but has warned the move must quickly lead to decisive action.

The consultation will examine proposals to phase out enriched ‘colony’ cages used for laying hens, pullets and breeder layers, as well as banning the remaining use of conventional battery cages among producers with fewer than 350 birds.

Around 7.3 million hens in the UK are currently kept in cages, however polling cited by the charity shows that 94% of the UK public oppose the use of cages for laying hens.

The charity said the consultation is a positive step, but pointed to previous commitments made under the last Conservative government that failed to result in reform.

The Humane League managing director Sean Gifford said: “This consultation launch is great news, and kudos to the Government for moving so quickly.

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“But we urge them to remember that warm words won’t free hens.

“Hens are suffering in cramped cages in their millions, and every single one of them needs to be freed as soon as possible. The Government can be reassured this compassionate act would have the full support of the general public.”

The consultation is expected to take a UK-wide approach, subject to agreement from the Scottish and Welsh governments.

Several major UK supermarkets, including Aldi, Co-op, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, M&S and Waitrose, already sell only cage-free own-brand eggs.

Internationally, countries such as Germany, Denmark, the Czech Republic and parts of the US have introduced cage bans, with a potential EU-wide ban under discussion.

The Humane League UK said it will continue to campaign for legislation to ensure the consultation results in a full ban on cages for laying hens, building on its long-running work to end cage farming in the UK.