UKIP hits out at commission over cage ban

The UK Independence Party has clashed with the European Commission over the 2012 cage ban saying the UK industry believes up to 29% of production will still come from cages when the ban comes into force.

Stuart Agnew MEP speaking at the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee on 30 August, told the commission that it “had no plan B” if states failed to implement changes to production methods.

“Its representative at the meeting was not prepared to speculate on what might happen if a significant number of hens are still in cages,” said Mr Agnew in a release after the meeting.

“He would only say that the commission is constantly reminding member states of their obligations. No mention was made of any attempt by the commission to either encourage or force them to comply with the ban.”

“The commission is burying its head in the sand on this issue.”