Green MP Sue Kedgley has approached the Speaker of the House to request that her animal welfare bill go to a conscience vote.
Her bill aims to phase out the use of sow crates and hen cages.
Ms Kedgley says she has temporarily withdrawn the bill from the order paper while her request is being considered.
She says the Government has argued that the matter her bill addresses is an economic issue, so should it go to a party vote.
But, she says it's an ethics issue which is why a conscience vote makes more sense.
Labour, the Maori Party and United Future have indicated they will support the bill.
