Backslide on the commitments

Last month, media reports warned about a backslide on the Commission’s commitment to phase out cages for 300 million farmed pigs, egg-laying hens, rabbits, and other species every year, as well as other animal welfare measures in line with the science of the 21st century. The promised reform does not appear on the Commission’s agenda, nor on the Commission’s priorities for next year. Yesterday, the centre-left group Socialists & Democrats sent a letter, urging Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to present the proposal.

What is "difficult"?

“The proposals for the animal welfare revolution are ready and the Commission is sitting on them," said Olga Kikou, Head of Compassion in World Farming EU and substitute representative of the ‘End the Cage Age’ European Citizens’ Initiative.

"What is “difficult” for the Commission is not the technicalities of drafting the new laws, but the pressure they are getting from right-wing political groups and the factory farming lobbies," she continued.

"By catering to vested interests, the European Commission’s leadership is making very bad decisions. If this continues, we won’t be surprised if the chasm between the EU and citizens grows deeper, and that more voters will turn to anti-EU political parties during the elections next year. The Commission should pay attention to this and stop dragging its feet,” Olga concluded.