Havering residents join rally outside Parliament demanding an end to caged egg production.

Animal welfare campaigners, volunteers and members of the public gathered outside the Houses of Parliament this week to demand an end to caged egg production in the UK.

The rally, organised by vegan campaigning charity Viva!, formed part of the group’s nationwide Cracked campaign, which is calling on the Government to ban cages for egg laying hens.

Campaigners waved placards, chanted “Ban the cage!” and spoke with members of the public to highlight the estimated 7.3 million hens currently being kept in cages across the UK.

The demonstration brought together supporters from across the country, with many urging MPs to follow through on proposed animal welfare reforms and permanently ban so called enriched colony cages.

Viva! campaigns manager Katie Robinson said the event had attracted strong public support.

“What an incredible day to be in London. The sun came out to join us, along with loads of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers and supporters. Even members of the public who wandered over to see what was going on were so motivated by the demonstration that they picked up a placard and lent their voices to our call for a ban on cages.

“We’re so incredibly grateful for all the support and newly inspired to keep campaigning until a legally binding ban is passed through Parliament.”

During the rally, campaigners encouraged members of the public to learn more about conditions inside UK egg farms through Viva!’s undercover investigations into both caged and free range facilities.

Volunteers also discussed animal welfare concerns linked to the egg industry and offered advice on plant based alternatives.

At 1pm, Viva! founder Juliet Gellatley addressed supporters outside Parliament, speaking passionately about her decades campaigning for animal welfare reform.

“After so many decades shining a light on the horrendous suffering caused by cages, it feels like we’re finally within reach of a ban, but the fight isn’t over yet.

“Yesterday’s rally, while an inspirational and significant display of public anti cage sentiment, was just a small part of our Cracked campaign. Until the Government does the right thing, the humane thing, and bans enriched colony cages, Viva! will keep up the pressure as we continue to campaign for these intelligent, sensitive and inquisitive animals.”

According to Viva!, polling shows strong public opposition to current egg industry practices, with the charity stating that 94 per cent of consumers are against keeping hens in cages.

The group also claims that millions of male chicks continue to be culled each year shortly after hatching.

The Cracked campaign was launched to coincide with ongoing discussions around UK farming and animal welfare policy, with campaigners calling on ministers to introduce stronger legal protections for hens and improve standards across the industry.

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