A key figure in the Scottish egg industry says a move to ban enriched hen cages could open the door to imports of eggs produced from lower welfare conditions.

The Scottish Government is consulting on phasing out the use of enriched cages, which offer more room to nest, roost, scratch and rest than the previously used battery or barren cages that were banned in the UK in 2012.

Robert Chapman of Farmlay said the ban is unnecessary as many supermarkets have already indicated the eggs they sell will be cage free by 2025.

He said: “Caged production is already in decline and this will probably happen through market forces as much as anything so why do they feel the need to legislate? I think there’s more important things they could be trying to correct in Scotland at the moment.”

“There is a demand for colony eggs and if we don’t produce them in Scotland they will be imported from elsewhere else, so I don’t know if the Scottish Government is going to close the border or have some control over imports.

“To close down our own industry and open us up to imports doesn’t seem right to me.”

“In 2012 industry invested in what they call colony enriched cages and within the colony there are perches for the birds, scratching area and a nest so they can display a lot of their natural behaviour which they couldn’t do in the old style cages.

“The UK Government has done a trade deal with Mexico and they still use the old style cages in Mexico, so you’re exporting your industry and importing an inferior product with lower welfare standards - it doesn’t really make a lot of sense. “

Mr Chapman also highlighted the need for consumer choice.

He said: “At the moment, the consumer can be organic and free range eggs, but if someone is on a tight budget, and a lot of people are, then why deprive them of a wonderful, nutritious great source of protein that is far better than some of the junk people can eat at the moment.

“I personally feel hens in enriched cages are happy in these conditions. She lives longer and lays more eggs, while on the other hand being eaten by a fox isn’t exactly wonderful welfare either so there’s two sides to the argument.

“In addition, if you look at the carbon footprint of different production systems, the colony is the most efficient, so if you’re worried about the environment you should be eating a colony egg.

“I think there is a bit of political scoring going on here because they like to be first – or perceived to be first in the UK.”

Farmlay currently has around 700,000 free range hens, with 110,000 hens in cages, while one of the firm’s producers has 100,000 caged hens.

Banff and Buchan Tory MP David Duguid expressed concern that egg producers in Scotland will be put at a ‘huge disadvantage.’

He said: “If this goes through, retailers could resort to importing caged eggs from outside of the UK, potentially with significantly lower welfare standards.

“Egg companies contribute a vast amount to our economy and I worry that this could lead to a reduction in the number of eggs in the market which would be catastrophic for our food sector, particularly in the north east.”

He added: “Continuing to improve animal welfare standards is key, and so-called ‘enriched cages’ are a far cry from the ‘battery cages’ people may be imagining – but so is food security and pushing the sector too quickly could have serious consequences.”

British Egg Industry Council chief executive, Gary Ford, said: “The BEIC has serious concerns about a proposed ban on colony cages in Scotland.

“The welfare of laying hens from all systems of production is of primary importance to the UK’s egg producers.

“In the UK, around a quarter of eggs consumed are laid by hens kept in enriched colony cage systems, meeting demand for affordable, nutritious, high-quality food, and providing a vital option for a large section of the population, particularly during the ongoing cost of living crisis.

“In addition to consumers, producers in Scotland who export to the rest of the UK will also be disadvantaged by the proposed changes.”

Mr Ford warned that a substantial proportion of the UK’s eggs are produced in Scotland and a ban could lead to job losses and a direct impact on the economy.

However, welfare organisation World Animal Protection, welcomed a proposed ban. A spokesperson said: “We're pleased to see Scotland leading the way in consulting on the ban of cages for laying hens which are still in use in the UK.

“It is time to end the use of cages which restrict animals natural behaviours and cause great suffering. It is important that these standards are also reflected in all trade deals with the UK to promote better welfare globally.”