New laws banning three controversial factory farming practices have been passed in the ACT.

The legislation, which was introduced by the Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury, will prohibit the use of battery cages for hens, along with sow stalls and farrowing crates for pigs in the Territory.

The new laws will also ban the de-beaking of hens.

Mr Rattenbury says consumers today expect higher standards of food production.

"This is an important reform to protect the welfare of farmed animals and will set the precedent for other states and territories to do the same," he said.

"Some of the practices outlawed under this legislation are simply cruel and inhumane and don't have any place in modern food production in Australia."

Lisa Chalk from Animals Australia says the changes will make a difference.

"Animals Australia really applauds the ACT Government's landmark decision to prohibit what are some of the cruellest farming practices," she said.

"These are practices which see millions of animals around Australia severely confined."

New South Wales Farmers Egg Committee spokesman Bede Burke says the legislation is unnecessary.

"The industry itself has already moved completely to or is in the process of moving to a non-cage system," he said.

"And I think that this is just a little bit of grandstanding by the local Greens member."

Mr Burke says the legislation will not ban caged eggs from sale on supermarket shelves.

Fines of up to $35,000 can be imposed for breaching the laws.