Caged farming could be phased out across Europe by 2027, following calls for an end to the unnecessary practice.The European Commission is drafting new legislation on fair and sustainable farming which would ban caged farming.
The Commission is also considering a revision of existing EU rules on the protection of animals kept for farming purposes.
These legal changes should pave the way to banning the caging of farmed animals.
‘End the Cage Age’ is part of the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) which has gathered nearly 1.4 million signatures from across Europe in support.
According to End the Cage Age, more than 300 million EU farm animals are kept in cages for most of their lives. It wants to ban the use of cages for laying hens, rabbits, pullets, broiler breeders, layer breeders, quail, ducks and geese. Other prohibited practices would include farrowing crates for sows; fow stalls and individual calf pens (where not already banned).
MEPs also want all animal products imported into the EU to be produced in full compliance with the relevant EU legislations, including cage-free farming.
They also insist on ensuring sufficient time is given to farmers and livestock breeders, before making any legislative changes, to make the transition and receive proper support.
LSL News.