Hold the EU to its promise to #EndTheCageAge!

More than 300 million hens, ducks, geese, quail, rabbits, pigs, and calves are still confined in cages across the EU. Despite repeated promises, EU decision-makers continue to delay a ban on cage farming. We need to remind them that we have not forgotten their commitments. 

The reality of cage farming is devastating. Many animals spend their lives in cramped, barren cages with almost no room to turn around, stretch or spread their legs or wings. Forced to compete for limited space and resources, they endure constant stress and deprivation. Painful, avoidable injuries are part of daily life and often go untreated. In these conditions, animals regularly die and may remain among their living herdmates. 

To put an end to this suffering, the European Citizens' Initiative #EndTheCageAge was launched to call for a ban on cages in European farming. Supported by more than 170 animal welfare organisations, including FOUR PAWS, the campaign collected 1.4 million signatures. 

In response to this overwhelming public support, in June 2021, the European Commission committed to revising EU animal welfare legislation and promised to present a legislative proposal by the end of 2023 to phase out cage farming for all species covered by the European Citizens's Initiative, specifically: laying hens, layer breeders, pullets, broiler breeders, quail, ducks, geese, rabbits, sows and calves by 2027. 

Yet years later, the promised legislative change has still not materialized, and millions of animals remain confined in cages. The European Commission is now planning to deliver only a fraction of the cage ban it promised (egg and meat chickens and female pigs) - leaving millions of farmed animals covered by the Initiative behind. We must remind decision-makers of the commitment they made to 1.4 million citizens. 

EU Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Olivér Várhelyi has a key role in ensuring the Commission upholds its commitment to introduce legislation that ends cage farming for all species of the European Citizens' Initiative. Send him a message to demand action without further delay. 

The worst thing we could do now is stop. After 1.4 million signatures, five years of campaigning, and the European Commission's commitment, we must keep the pressure on. Animals need us to stay mobilized until the very end. Help us demand an end for cages for all farmed animals in the EU!  

• Send a message to the EU Commissioner and demand action.

  Dear Commissioner Várhelyi,

  I am deeply concerned that more than 300 million hens, ducks, geese, quail, rabbits, pigs, and calves are still confined in cages across the EU.

  Every day, these animals suffer in spaces so cramped that they are unable to move freely or stretch their legs or wings. Some animals even die in these environments. Yet EU leaders continue to delay the promised ban on cage keeping.

  In 2021, in response to the #EndTheCageAge initiative, the European Commission committed to introducing legislative proposals to ban cages for all animals covered by the initiative by 2023 with legislation coming into force by 2027. Years later, little progress has been made towards the promised ban, and animals are still waiting.

  As Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, you have the responsibility to act. I urge you to propose the legislation needed to phase out and prohibit cages not only for hens and sows, as announced in the EU-livestock strategy in 2026, but also for calves, rabbits, ducks, geese, quail, and other farmed animals across Europe by 2027, as promised.

  I ask you to honour the EU's commitment to 1.4 million citizens and end any further delays. Animals cannot wait any longer.

  Keep your promise. End cage farming now.

  Yours sincerely,