Around 300 million animals in the EU are currently kept in cages. As the world’s third-largest meat producer, Europe holds an enormous amount of responsibility – for animals, for the environment and for society.

In 2021, the European Commission promised to revise animal welfare legislation and phase out cage rearing. 1.4 million citizens supported the ‘End the Cage Age’ initiative. However, under pressure from the agricultural lobby and the meat industry, the plan was halted.

Now Europe has another chance to make history. The European Commission is once again considering a ban on cage rearing – this time, we must not hold back!

Rabbits: Most live in cramped wire cages, with no place to hide, no sources of enrichment and no opportunity for exercise. Injuries to their paws and backs are common.

Chickens and Quails: In battery cages and so-called ‘enriched’ cages, they live crammed together on wire floors, with no space to scratch, take dust baths or flap their wings. Such cages continue to be permitted throughout the EU.

Pigs: Mother pigs are kept in crates for a total of around six months per year. They cannot properly care for or bond with their piglets as their movements are almost completely restricted. Even being able to turn around is simply impossible during their confinement.

Calves: Shortly after birth, calves are separated from their mothers and isolated in so-called ‘igloos’. As a result, they suffer from loneliness and a lack of exercise due to the restrictions of a tiny pen.

The EU can become a global leader in animal welfare. A ban on cage rearing would send a message of ethical responsibility. That animals are sentient beings, not instruments of production. And such a ban would represent progress for society: millions of citizens are calling for an end to cage rearing – they must be heard. A democratic EU must not merely protect profit – it must also respect the voices of the people and the protection of animals.