More than 190,000 people responded to the European Commission's public consultation on modernising animal welfare laws last year, and the results show the vast majority of respondents want to phase out cages from animal farming.

Overwhelming public support

The key findings include:

99% of respondents – including 54% of businesses - think phasing out cages for laying hens is important or very important
99% of respondents think phasing out cages for pigs is important or very important
98-99% of respondents think phasing out cages for calves, rabbit, ducks and other animals is important or very important
89% fully agree that current EU legislation does not allow animals to express their natural behaviours
88-92% think all EU animal welfare requirements should apply to imported meat and egg products, ensuring a level playing field for EU farmers

The consultation also shows that clarity and support are needed for farmers.

Businesses themselves highlighted EU funding, including through the Common Agricultural Policy, as essential to making change possible.

Vinciane Patelou, our Head of EU, said:

Hundreds of thousands of people took the time to respond to this consultation, and their message couldn’t be clearer - 99% support phasing out cages and 89% say current laws aren’t good enough.

People across Europe are calling for farming that is fair, compassionate and fit for the future.

The mandate is there, now the Commission must show leadership and bring forward legislation to End the Cage Age for good.

No more broken promises

The Commission has repeatedly committed to modernising the EU animal welfare legislation and to following up on its pledge to phase out cages, but has yet to deliver.

With expected legislation due by the end of 2026, this consultation confirms what EU citizens have demanded for years: ambitious, comprehensive protection for all farmed animals.

The Commission’s inaction has confined nearly 300 million hens, pigs, calves, rabbits, ducks, geese and other farmed animals in cages every year. This is despite a striking 89% of Europeans believing that animals should not be farmed in individual cages.

Europe’s citizens have raised their voices. Now the Commission must match that call with decisive legislation and set a clear timeline to End the Cage Age.

Holding the Commission accountable

Later this week, the Court of Justice of the EU will hear our case in our landmark End the Cage Age legal case to hold the Commission accountable over its broken promise to legislate to phase out cages. Stay tuned!

EU consultation shows need to End the Cage Age