Non-cage a 'regrettable move' says Chief Vet Nigel Gibbens

Chief vet Nigel Gibbens has described the commitment by leading retailers to go cage-free by 2025 as a "regrettable move."

 

During a speech at the Egg and Poultry Industry Conference (EPIC) in South Wales, he spoke of the dilemma between retailers who wanted to move away from cage eggs and the risk of managing free range chickens in areas of the country at greater risk from avian flu. The chief vet, who has previously questioned whether farmers should continue with free range production in areas of high risk from AI, said more thought needed to be given to what would happen in 2025.