The hearing on the appeal lodged against the European Commission for failing to keep its commitment to propose a law banning the use of cages on farms took place a few hours ago at the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg.
A cause that arises from the European citizens’ initiative “End the Cage Age”, signed by over 1.4 million people and supported by a coalition of 170 associations coordinated by Compassion in World Farming (CIWF).
In 2021, precisely in response to this unprecedented mobilization, the European Commission committed to presenting a legislative proposal to eliminate cages on farms by 2023. A commitment that, so far, has not been respected.
The legal battle for millions of animals
During the hearing, the lawyers of the Committee of citizens promoting the initiative, supported by CIWF, together with the associations admitted to intervene – Eurogroup for Animals, Animal Equality and LAV – brought the evidence in support of the case before the judges.
At the center of the appeal is a reality that is still widespread in European livestock farming: around 300 million animals are raised in cages every year. According to the complainants, the Commission should at least present a clear timeline for the promised legislative proposals, as well as making the internal dossier on the End the Cage Age initiative accessible.
The case represents a historic step: it is the first time that the European Commission has been called to account in court for failing to follow up on a European citizens’ initiative.
The judges’ questions to the Commission
The case was examined by a Chamber made up of five judges, who asked various questions to the parties involved during the hearing. In particular, the magistrates asked for clarification on the legal interpretation of the European citizens’ initiative and on the reasons why the Commission has not yet presented a legislative roadmap.
According to animal rights groups, the hearing shows that the Court has taken the issue very seriously.
The ruling on this appeal does not only concern the protection of farmed animals, but also democracy, declared Annamaria Pisapia, spokesperson for the Committee of citizens promoting the initiative and director of CIWF Italia.
As the hearing took place, animal rights activists from all over Europe gathered in front of the Court to ask the Commission to keep its promise to citizens.
Among the associations present at the event were Animal Equality, Animal Law Italia, CIWF Italia, LNDC Animal Protection and LAV.
The objective of the mobilization was clear: to remind European institutions that millions of animals continue to live in highly restrictive farming systems, such as cages for laying hens, sows and rabbits.
European citizens demand an end to cages
The request to overcome caged farming does not only come from associations. According to a public consultation of the European Union last autumn, in which over 190 thousand citizens participated, almost all of those interviewed consider it “important” or “very important” to gradually eliminate cages for all farmed species.
Even a part of the production sector now seems oriented towards change: many companies have declared that they support the elimination of cages, 54% for hens and 46% for sows. For animal rights organizations the message is clear: cages on farms are a thing of the past.
Their cruelty is recognized by scientific research and also by the European Food Safety Authority, the associations underline. This is why they must end up where they deserve to be: in the history books.
