The Citizens’ Committee promoting the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) End the Cage Age announces that it has filed an appeal with the Court of Justice of the European Union against the EU Commission, responsible for having betrayed its commitment to propose legislation to gradually phase out cage farming for all farmed species.
The European Commission is under fire for failing to keep the promises made to the citizens who in 2018 joined the End the Cage Age initiative. In June 2021, the European executive had in fact committed to presenting legislation by the end of 2023 to abolish this cruel and anachronistic practice. Unfortunately, the Commission chose instead to allow industry interests to prevail over animal welfare and the democratic will of citizens. Last Thursday, the Plenary of the European Parliament had also expressed itself in strongly critical terms, condemning this decision.
End the Cage Age was the first and so far the only ECI to obtain a clear formal commitment from the EU institutions. Furthermore, the Committee highlights how ECIs were introduced with the specific intent of guaranteeing EU citizens greater influence over the Union’s decision-making processes, and how the Commission’s U-turn on its historic commitment undermines the very purpose of this democratic instrument.
If the Court of Justice rules in favour of the appeal, the Commission will be obliged to publish its legislative proposal, following a clear and reasonable timeline, and to make its dossier on the End the Cage Age ECI public.
Every day of delay in implementing what was promised means one more day of suffering for animals trapped in cramped and cruel conditions. In solidarity with the End the Cage Age Citizens’ Committee and supporters of the cage ban, we at Animal Law Italia are exploring the possibility of joining the legal battle against the inaction of the European Commission.
Unity and numerical support are crucial at this moment. Ahead of the upcoming European elections in June, it is vital to show cohesive and clear support, to send a strong message to the Commission: we want concrete actions, not just empty promises.
Last October, the European Commission’s own Eurobarometer highlighted that an overwhelming majority of nine out of ten EU citizens – approximately 400 million people* – believe that animals should not be raised in individual cages. Even the Commission’s scientific advisors, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), have spoken in favour of the gradual elimination of cages on animal welfare grounds for pigs, calves, laying hens, quails, geese and rabbits.
How can we make our voices heard?
- The first step to taking action is understanding why it is urgent to act: watch the documentary Food For Profit by Giulia Innocenzi, a journey that explores the links between lobbying and politics.
We organised a tour in Puglia, while here you can find the screening dates across Italy.
- The European Elections in June are the most important electoral event of the next five years and represent a crucial moment for the future of animals. For this reason, together with the most important European animal rights associations, we have joined the #VoteForAnimals campaign, in which we call for the improvement of animal conditions through a list of 10 demands that you can view here: voteforanimals.it
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