Millions of voices ignored

We know the Commission is already working on proposals, however the omission from the work programme is a huge disappointment for over 1.4 million citizens and 170 NGOs who backed the End the Cage Age European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) in 2019 which led to this commitment – the first successful ECI for farmed animals. That’s why we are stepping up our campaign to hold the Commission to account.

After the historic ECI campaign, the Commission pledged to bring forward proposals to improve animal welfare by 2023. Yet, two years later, millions of animals remain trapped in cages – and citizens are still waiting for change.

Public support for these reforms is overwhelming. A 2023 Eurobarometer poll found that 89% of EU citizens believe farmed animals should not be kept in individual cages.

Legal action and renewed campaigning

In 2024, the Citizens’ Committee of the End the Cage Age ECI, with our support, launched a landmark legal action against the Commission to demand a clear timescale for the proposals to be delivered.

But in the 2026 work programme, the only animal welfare measure included is a vague, non-legislative initiative on “livestock including elements of animal welfare” – not the legislative proposal to ban cages we were promised. As the Commission is consulting stakeholders on the revision, this omission casts doubts over the timeline for the delivery of these proposals.

There can be no more delays

Vinciane Patelou, Compassion in World Farming’s Head of EU, said:

The Commission has repeatedly insisted that it will present proposals to End the Cage Age in late 2026, in line with the EU’s Vision for Agriculture and Food – so why not include the proposals in the Work Programme?

This sends a worrying message to the millions of EU citizens who support it and expect this legislation to be delivered. 

Millions of animals are still trapped and suffering in cages across Europe, farmers and food businesses still need urgent clarity, and EU citizens want their voices to be heard and for the EU to keep its promise. There can be no further delays.

Holding the EU to account

This makes the outcome of the End the Cage Age legal action even more important. We will continue to push hard for progress – working with the Commission to provide input for a meaningful reform of the outdated animal welfare legislation, while stepping up campaigning to hold the Commission accountable.

The EU has launched a publication consultation on these animal welfare reforms.

We will soon be sharing guidance on how you can make your voice heard in the consultation to tell the Commission that we need a ban on cages by 2026. Please put a 45-minute hold in your diary for November to get involved.

EU fails to include cage ban in 2026 work plan