European food businesses unite in call for ban on cages for laying hens, pigs, and rabbits

More than 30 leading European food companies have urged the European Commission to end the use of cages in animal farming across Europe.

Today, three statements signed by 17 companies, were submitted to the Commission, each focused on a key species: hens, sows, and rabbits. These statements were signed by companies, including Bompieri Group, Fumagalli Industria Alimentari, Coop UK, and Accor which have made voluntary commitments to remove cage systems from their supply chains for a specific species.

Together, they call on the Commission to prioritise and enact strong legislation to ban the use of cages for hens, sows, and rabbits across Europe.

This latest wave of statements builds on earlier pressure, including a joint letter from 18 businesses in September, including Lidl, Sodexo and Ferrero Group, that have already implemented cage-free supply chains for laying hens, and a separate letter from nine investors representing 383 billion dollars in assets under management. Both urged the European Commission to prohibit the use of cages and create a level playing field across Europe and non-EU trade.

Industry’s message is clear: transitioning to cage-free systems is achievable, commercially viable, and companies and producers are ready to share practical experience to shape new legislation that phases out the use of cages.

Currently, seven European countries have introduced national bans on cages for one or more species, creating market fragmentation and unfair competition between producers. An EU-wide ban would ensure a level playing field and bring legal certainty for all producers.

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

Companies know the future is cage-free, and this statement is a powerful endorsement of the EU’s expected legislation to phase out the use of cages in Europe.

Thanks to these trailblazers, cage-free products are becoming more mainstream, and the market is shifting, confirming that cages are not necessary in animal farming. But EU harmonisation is absolutely necessary to confine cages to history once and for all.

The call from industry comes as public participation in the Commission’s consultation has surged, with more than 150,000 organisations, businesses and citizens having already submitted responses.

Compassion in World Farming has today submitted its own detailed response to the consultation calling for an EU-wide ban on cages for all farmed species as soon as possible, including provisions preventing lower-welfare products entering the EU. The animal welfare NGO has also produced a public guide to support citizens through the consultation process.

In the EU, almost 300 million animals are confined in cages every year, despite an overwhelming 94% of Europeans believing animals should have enough space to move freely, and another 86% supporting a full ban on cages.

In 2021, following the successful End the Cage Age European Citizens’ Initiative, supported by 1.4 million citizens and 170 NGOs, the Commission pledged to propose legislation to phase out cages by 2023. However, the Commission failed to meet its own deadline, and new proposals are now expected in 2026.

The NGO is urging citizens to submit a response to the consultation before it closes on Friday 12 December.

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For more information or to arrange interviews, please email marta.vigano@ciwf.org

Notes to Editors

Access our Food Business report showing how well-known European businesses are leading the way towards a cage-free Europe.
Access the 2023 Eurobarometer on animal welfare.
Compassion in World Farming was founded in 1967 by a British dairy farmer who became horrified at the development of intensive factory farming. Today Compassion is the leading farm animal welfare organisation dedicated to ending factory farming and achieving humane and sustainable food production. With headquarters in the UK, we have offices across Europe, in the US, China and South Africa.

Leading European food companies urge EU to End the Cage Age