The EU Wants to End Cage Raising and the Killing of Chicks—For Real This Time?
Five Years After the Promise: EU Unveils New Livestock Strategy—But the Real Test Is Yet to Come
In its Livestock Strategy, the European Commission Commits to Legislative Proposals on Animal Welfare
Yesterday, July 7, the European Commission presented its long-awaited Farm Animal Strategy, outlining its vision for the future of the livestock sector. In the strategy, the Commission commits to presenting a legislative proposal that, among other things, provides for a phased-out of cage rearing and an end to the culling of male chicks.
The international animal welfare organization Animal Equality welcomes the return of animal welfare to the EU’s legislative agenda. However, it emphasizes that the real test will be to translate these commitments into consistent legislation without delay. This is because as early as 2021, the European Commission had promised to phase out cage rearing after the European Citizens’ Initiative “End the Cage Age” was supported by 1.4 million people. A corresponding legislative proposal was supposed to follow in 2023. However, the Commission has not yet presented it, which is why it has even been sued at the European Court of Justice for its inaction—the ruling is still pending.
“The publication of the farm animal strategy is an important signal. Now it is crucial that the Commission submit concrete legislative proposals without delay—so that cage farming and the killing of male chicks are finally a thing of the past.”
\- Vanessa Raith, Director of Animal Equality Germany
Here’s what the European Commission plans to do
According to the strategy, the Commission intends to present a targeted revision of EU animal welfare regulations for laying hens and broiler chickens in 2026, which is to include the following:
the phased-out elimination of cages; the introduction of animal welfare indicators to measure the actual condition of animals on farms; measures to end the systematic culling of male chicks through in-egg sex-determination technologies; equivalent animal welfare requirements for imported products.
A separate proposal on pig welfare is expected in 2027, covering the transition from crates to free-range systems, the introduction of animal welfare indicators, and equivalent import standards.
The strategy also provides for updates to egg labeling regulations to inform consumers about the phase-out of male chick culling and announces further revisions regarding the transport and export of so-called slaughter animals.
Five Years After the Promise of a Cage Ban
Time and again, the European Commission has delayed its promised legislative proposal—thereby increasing pressure from civil society across Europe. In recent months, the international organization Animal Equality has launched an intensive campaign urging the Commission to put the protection of farm animals back on the EU’s political agenda. The activists protested regularly in Brussels’ European Quarter, published an open letter signed by tens of thousands of citizens, and addressed an animal welfare appeal—backed by high-profile experts—to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
First AGRIFISH Debate on the Farm Animal Strategy Under the Irish Council Presidency
The publication of the Farm Animal Strategy comes shortly after Ireland assumed the presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1. In its work program, the Irish Council Presidency has identified animal welfare as a key priority and stated that this issue will be at the center of discussions in order to meet societal expectations and maintain high standards across the EU. The strategy will be discussed by EU agriculture ministers at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on July 13.
Now the decisive phase begins
The Livestock Strategy is a political roadmap. Whether these commitments will lead to effective improvements for animals now depends on the subsequent legislative proposals, Animal Equality emphasizes.
The organization calls on the European Commission to ensure that future legislation sets a clear and binding timeline for phasing out cage rearing; permanently ends the routine culling of male chicks; avoid exemptions and loopholes that could weaken the reforms; be based on the latest scientific evidence; and bring about meaningful improvements in animal welfare for millions of animals within a reasonable timeframe.
Note: This article has been translated using a computer system without human intervention. LUMITOS offers these automatic translations to present a wider range of current news. Since this article has been translated with automatic translation, it is possible that it contains errors in vocabulary, syntax or grammar. The original article in German can be found here.
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