The EU plans to follow the UK’s move to ban the use of caged laying hens as part of animal-welfare initiatives outlined in the bloc’s Livestock Strategy.
Proposals will be discussed at a European Commission (EC) meeting on 9 December to discuss animal-welfare rules for “certain farming animals”, according to a schedule of events published yesterday (10 November).
However, an EC spokesperson declined to share more details today when contacted by Just Food beyond confirming the draft proposals to shift from a battery hen model of farming.
The Livestock Strategy was published in July, described as the “first of its kind” in the EU.
“This long-term vision recognises the essential role of sustainable livestock farming in Europe's future to protect Europe's food security and support rural communities in all their diversity,” a statement read at the time.
“Given the diversity of livestock farming across the regions, the Strategy will promote a tailored approach to address sustainability challenges. It proposes measures to improve animal welfare through targeted revisions for laying hens, broilers and pigs, which will be evidence-based and accompanied by adequate transition periods and financial support.”
European animal-welfare NGOs, led by the End the Cage Age (EtCA) coalition, welcomed the proposals but were critical over the implementation timeframe.
The EtCA reported on Monday (9 November) that the EC’s plans had been “leaked” to certain media outlets, including a 12-year “transition” period, as it called for a more “ambitious” approach.
“What we’ve seen of the leaked proposals could mark a historic step towards ending the suffering of millions of animals but a 12-year transition is far too long,” Annamaria Pisapia, an EtCA European Citizens' Initiative Committee spokesperson, said in a statement.
“It would prolong unnecessary and cruel animal suffering and create an unfair market for farmers who have already transitioned. Across Europe, businesses have shown that they can successfully transition much quicker.”
The UK, for instance, announced in January that cage systems for laying hens would be phased out by 2032, including those used by smaller egg producers.
Germany also introduced a phased ban through to the start of January this year, although certain farmers have until 1 January 2029 to comply.
“This is an opportunity for the Commission to set an ambitious but realistic timeframe that supports farmers through the change but doesn’t leave millions of animals suffering for years in cages,” Pisapia said.
EtCA suggested “major food businesses have already successfully transitioned within five years”, adding that “two-thirds” of the European eggs sector has already moved away from caged hens.
Elsewhere, the coalition said the EC’s leaked proposals also include a ban on cages for male chicks or broilers destined for the dining table, along with similar provisions for EU imports of poultry products.
“For meat chickens, a ban on cages will not deliver meaningful welfare improvements, and the plan to merge the Laying Hen and Broiler Directives into a single regulation, as set out in the leak, could weaken and delay protections for each species,” the EtCA claimed.
“It could leave millions of meat chickens without adequate protection for years to come and would not address the most critical issues such as high stocking densities and fast-growing breeds.”
Outlining the animal-welfare plans in July for laying hens and poultry meat under the Livestock Strategy, the EC explained.
“By the end of 2026, the Commission intends to propose a targeted revision of animal-welfare rules for laying hens and broilers, focusing on the phasing-out of cages, practical on-farm welfare indicators, ending the systematic killing of male chicks and equivalent import requirements.
“To valorise the transition away from male day-old chick killing, the Commission will explore the possibility to update egg marking rules to better inform consumers, including in third countries, about improvements made by farmers.”
