In a groundbreaking move to combat animal cruelty, the Citizens’ Committee of the End the Cage Age European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) has decided to take legal action against the European Commission. This decision was made after the Commission failed to fulfill its promise of banning caged farming despite committing to do so by the end of 2023. With the support of 1.4 million people and 170 NGOs, the Citizens’ Committee filed papers at the Court of Justice in Luxembourg to hold the Commission accountable for its inaction.
Olga Kikou, a member of the Citizens’ Committee, expressed the disappointment felt by millions of EU citizens and the 300 million animals still enduring unimaginable suffering in cages every day. She underscored the urgency of the situation, emphasizing that there is no justification for further delays in implementing the ban on caged farming. The Committee’s goal is to ensure that every cage becomes empty, giving a voice to the voiceless animals trapped in inhumane conditions.
This legal action, supported by Compassion in World Farming, marks the first time the Commission has been held accountable for its failure to act on an ECI. If successful, the Court would compel the Commission to publish its proposals within a reasonable timeframe and provide access to its file on the End the Cage Age ECI. With over 300 million animals suffering in cages, public opinion strongly opposes caged farming, as revealed in the Commission’s own Eurobarometer survey.
Despite extensive preparations and consultations conducted by Commission officials, the proposed legislation to ban caged farming has not been implemented. The failure of the Commission to take action is particularly disheartening, as the welfare grounds for phasing out cages have been supported by the European Food Safety Authority. The legislation also includes provisions for financial support to assist farmers in transitioning to cage-free systems.
In September 2023, there were reports suggesting that the EU was considering abandoning proposals for stricter animal welfare regulations, including the prohibition of caged farming. President Ursula von der Leyen’s alignment with the farming federation Copa Cogeca has been criticized, with accusations of succumbing to pressure from the agriculture lobby. An investigation revealed significant influence exerted by the factory farming lobby in Brussels over EU decision-making processes.
Amidst these developments, the legal action taken by the Citizens’ Committee highlights the urgent need for action to end the suffering of animals trapped in cages. The ‘End the Cage Age’ European Citizens’ Initiative has received overwhelming support from the European Parliament, with eight out of ten Members voting in favor of discontinuing caged farming. Over 170 organizations across Europe have endorsed the Initiative, including scientific communities, business sectors, environmental advocacy groups, and health and farming campaigners.
The fight against animal cruelty is a pressing issue that requires immediate action from policymakers and the European Commission. The launch of legal action by the Citizens’ Committee is a crucial step towards ensuring that the welfare of animals is prioritized and that caged farming is abolished. It is essential for all stakeholders to work together to end the suffering of millions of animals and create a more compassionate and humane society for all.
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