Want to have your say? Find the public consultation here.
In February 2025, the European Commission (EC) unveiled its Vision for Agriculture and Food, a forward-looking strategy aimed at reshaping the future of farming and food systems across the EU. Central to this vision was a renewed commitment to animal welfare. The EC pledged to engage in close dialogue with farmers, food supply chain actors, and civil society, laying the groundwork for legislative proposals that would revise outdated EU animal welfare laws.
Among its most notable promises was a follow-up on its 2021 commitment to phase out cages for farm animals, a response to the widely supported End the Cage Age European Citizens’ Initiative.
This push for reform stems from a 2022 fitness check, which concluded that existing legislation no longer meets societal or ethical expectations. The findings revealed a disconnect between current regulations and the values held by EU citizens, prompting calls for modernisation.
Across the animal agriculture industry, there is growing interest in using animal welfare indicators to create more flexible, enforceable, and transparent rules.
Stakeholders also emphasised the need for consistency, urging that EU standards apply equally to imported products, in line with international trade rules.
To ensure that future legislation is both evidence-based and reflective of public sentiment, a wide-ranging call for evidence was launched in June. Citizens, businesses, NGOs, researchers, and international partners were invited to contribute their perspectives.
The public consultation will be open until 12 December, and during this period we invite all the animal advocates in Europe to demand true change for farmed animals by submitting a response to the consultation here.
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