Target: Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, European Commission
Goal: Deliver legislation to phase out cage confinement and honor the commitment made after 1.4 million citizens backed End the Cage Age.
Millions of farmed animals across Europe continue to spend their lives confined in restrictive cages while promised reforms remain unfinished. The End the Cage Age European Citizens’ Initiative secured more than 1.4 million verified signatures. The European Commission subsequently committed to proposing legislation aimed at phasing out cage systems for farmed animals.
Animal welfare organizations have launched a legal challenge alleging that the Commission’s delay breaches commitments made in response to the successful citizens’ initiative. Campaigners argue that continued delay perpetuates restrictive confinement for hundreds of millions of animals. The legal challenge remains unresolved, and the allegation that the Commission breached its obligations has not been judicially established.
The outcome of that dispute should not prevent meaningful progress on animal welfare. The Commission should advance robust legislation establishing a clear and enforceable transition away from cage confinement. Millions of animals should not remain trapped in restrictive systems while reform stalls. Honor the End the Cage Age commitment and deliver the promised legislative phase-out.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Commissioner Hansen,
More than 1.4 million verified citizens supported the End the Cage Age initiative, calling for cage confinement of farmed animals to be phased out. The European Commission subsequently committed to proposing legislation addressing cage systems, yet comprehensive legislation delivering the phase-out sought by campaigners remains unfinished.
Animal welfare organizations are pursuing legal action alleging that the Commission’s delay breaches commitments associated with the successful initiative. That allegation remains unresolved and should not be treated as an established legal finding. Nevertheless, the continuing policy delay leaves the future of cage confinement uncertain for millions of farmed animals.
Please advance strong legislation establishing a clear and enforceable transition away from cage systems. More than 1.4 million citizens formally called for this reform through a recognized democratic process. Honor the End the Cage Age commitment and transform that public demand into lasting protections for farmed animals across Europe.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Maqi
