‘We want a cage ban’ billboards target MEPs

Almost 40 billboards have today (2nd July) gone live in the capital of Europe to send a strong message to newly elected and re-elected Members of the European Parliament (MEPs): European citizens want and expect a ban on cages.

As MEPs step into power following the elections, we’ve seized the opportunity to raise awareness among EU lawmakers of the massive public support that exists across Europe for a ban on cages.

EU citizens overwhelmingly support cage ban

According to the European Commission’s own Eurobarometer, an overwhelming 89% of EU citizens support going cage-free. Another 90% support ethical treatment of farmed animals. And a staggering 94% of Europeans believe that providing farmed animals with enough space to move around, lie down and stand up is important.

To make sure MEPs are aware of this astonishing support, we’ve shared it on billboards in 37 Brussels metro stations sending a message they cannot miss.

European citizens have spoken loud and clear and listening to their voices is a must if European lawmakers wish to respect democracy.

Strong scientific support for cage ban

Citizens are not the only ones wanting the cage age to end. The European Food Safety Authority has also backed the phasing out of cages on welfare grounds for pigs, dairy calves, laying hens, ducks, quail and rabbits.

In 2021 the Commission made a legally-binding commitment to introduce legislative proposals for an EU ban on caged farming before the end of 2023 in response to the successful EtCA ECI, signed by over 1.4 million EU citizens. However, the proposals are yet to be published and around 300 million pigs, hens, rabbits, ducks, quail and geese still spend most of their lives in cages every year across Europe.

EU must fulfill its legal obligations

Earlier this year, we spearheaded the launch of the End the Cage Age legal action, taken by the ECI Citizens’ Committee, against the European Commission over its failure to deliver on its promises.

Last week, several major European NGOs – including The ECI Campaign, Eurogroup for Animals, foodwatch International and Animal Equality – asked the EU Court of Justice to allow them to become interveners in this landmark legal action. Representing a range of concerns – including democracy, consumer rights and animal welfare - they argue that they are directly impacted by the Commission’s failure to ban caged animal farming.

As we await the Court’s decision, freshly elected MEPs need to know that Europeans want a ban on caged farming.

Support our campaign by posting images of our billboards and tagging European institutions (@Europarl_EN, @EU_Commission) to remind them: We want our democracy respected.