‘No future in cages’: Canadian legal advocacy group calls out Sask. poultry research plan

The group Animal Justice says the so-called 'enriched' cages are proposed as an improvement to the welfare of egg-laying hens, but still amount to a restrictive metal cage, with little room carry out their natural behaviours. (Source: Animal Justice)

A national animal protection organization is calling out a planned poultry research facility at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) over its continued use of cage systems.

In a letter to the Board of Governors Thursday, lawyers and executives from Animal Justice said including so-called “enriched cages” in the proposed facility risks locking the province into an outmoded practice that’s already banned across the European Union, the U.K. and in 11 U.S. states.

The group is questioning why the university would invest millions to train students on the use of an agricultural method that’s out of step with the demands of consumers and slated to be phased out by 2036.

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“It is particularly concerning that a research institution would frame an egg facility that uses cages as ‘world-leading,’” said PJ Nyman, corporate engagement manager at Animal Justice.

“In reality, USask would be investing in outdated technology that is already illegal in Canada’s peer countries. The UK, US, and the EU have outlawed or are phasing out these very systems. The university would be ignoring the clear direction of the global market and doing a disservice to its students.”

The nearly $16 million facility, which was announced last month, is intended to test a range of living conditions and their effects on laying hens, including lighting, feed and, consequently, freedom of movement.

“The industry has made a commitment to move away from conventional housing systems to enriched, to free-run, to free-range. And as we do that, we need more research,” Dion Martens, executive director of Saskatchewan Egg Producers, told media at the March 13 announcement.

“While the University uses the term ‘enriched housing,’ let’s be clear—these are metal cages where hens are confined for their entire lives, never feeling the ground beneath their feet or engaging in natural behaviours,” says Nyman.

Animal Justice says industry groups like Saskatchewan Egg Producers, which is contributing $3 million to the facility, are just delaying the inevitable — and it’s calling on the university’s Board of Governors to intervene.

The U of S, which returned a request for comment on the board’s behalf, says the Board of Governors is only responsible for considering whether to approve funding sources and potential construction, not weighing in on research methods.

“There are many policies and governance groups with oversight of research, and research involving animals at USask. This responsibility does not fall to the Board of Governors,” the university said in an emailed statement.

“Ethical oversight of animal‑based research follows established university policy and guidelines set by provincial and national regulatory organizations. All research involving animals complies with Canadian Council of Animal Care guidelines (which sets national requirements for animal welfare, housing, procedures and ethical justification) and is reviewed and monitored by the University Animal Care Committee, rather than the Board of Governors.”

The U of S says the poultry industry follows welfare regulations sets by the National Farm Animal Care Council and the National Egg Farmers of Canada, and contends the facility’s research would contribute to optimal animal welfare across all three of the currently allowable methods of housing hens and inform producers about the pros and cons of each system.

“The university, including the Board of Governors, remains committed to meeting or exceeding all applicable animal welfare standards and to ongoing improvement informed by evidence and best practices.”

Animal Justice’s Nyman says the university’s response is “a bureaucratic shuffling of responsibility.”

“It fails to address that the Board will be approving millions of dollars of spending on a facility that would train their students on yesterday’s technology.”

He argues the board has a responsibility to its students to ensure their training remains relevant. The National Farm Animal Care Council guidelines it referenced are from 2017, and facing a major review in 2027.

“There is no future in cages,” said Nyman.

In its letter to the board, Animal Justice points to reports from major grocers that eggs produced by hens in “enriched” cages make up only two per cent of egg sales, despite representing a third of their inventory.

“Over 130 major food companies in Canada have committed to going 100 cage-free, and the vast majority of Canadians support this. There is not going to be a future market for caged eggs, and USask students need skills that will be relevant for five, 10, 20 years down the line.”

The Board of Governors is scheduled to vote on the project at a meeting in the fall of 2026.