The European Union must support farmers to transition to regenerative farming practices with the highest animal welfare and sustainability standards, Compassion in World Farming urged today (16 July) in response to the Commission’s proposals for the next EU budget and Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The animal welfare and environmental NGO expressed regret that, as proposed, the EU budget fails to maintain a significant amount for the CAP to respond to citizens’ expectations in terms of climate, environment and animal welfare.

While recognising the effort to support farmers who need it the most through degressive area-based payment, they highlight the risk that such funds will keep prominently financing intensive feed and animal farming, to the detriment of agroecological practices - which do not benefit from a ring-fenced or minimum budget and would require co-financing from the Member States.

Following the Commission’s 2021 commitment to phase out cages in animal farming, the NGO stressed the urgent need for the CAP to reflect this vision and prepare for the modernisation of animal welfare rules by supporting farmers in the transition towards sustainable, cage-free systems.

While welcoming the proposed transition payments for the extensification of livestock production systems as a step in the right direction to financing a cage-free transition, they argue there seems to be no guarantee that Member States will actually make use of them.

Vinciane Patelou, Head of EU at Compassion in World Farming, said:

Taxpayers’ money should not be used to finance an agrifood system that cages animals, harms people and destroys our planet.

Amid climate disasters increasingly affecting farmers and their farmed animals, funding the transition towards extensive, cage-free systems and regenerative methods is essential to improving the resilience of farmers and local communities, addressing environmental degradation and better protecting animals.

Opinion polling shows that Europeans want higher welfare standards. An overwhelming 84% of EU citizens believe that the welfare of farmed animals should be better protected in their country. More than 1.4 million people supported the End the Cage Age European Citizens’ Initiative in 2021, and 81% of consumers find it important that EU subsidies for agriculture support improving animal welfare.

Higher animal welfare must be a priority in next MFF & CAP, urges CIWF