Food Companies Back EU Cage-Free Legislation

In a joint statement sent to the Commission on 17 September, the companies – all operating with cage-free egg supply chains in Europe – voiced strong support for a legislative ban on cages for laying hens. Signatories include Lidl, Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Ferrero, Sodexo Group, COOP Italia and Netto, among others.

Each company has shown that cage-free farming is not only ethically responsible but also commercially viable. Their message to the Commission is clear: transitioning to cage-free systems is achievable, and the industry is ready to be part of the conversation in shaping new legislation to phase out the use of cages.

Agata Krząstek, Head of Sustainability at Netto Polska commented:

At Netto, we firmly believe that responsible sourcing goes beyond product quality to include a strong commitment to animal welfare. For this reason, we actively support the market-wide transition to cage-free farming and are consistently delivering on our commitments in this area. Since 2021, caged eggs have been completely eliminated from our assortment, and we remain dedicated to ensuring that 100% of Netto’s private label eggs are sourced exclusively from cage-free systems.”

The joint statement serves as a powerful endorsement of the EU’s proposed cage-free legislation and highlights the importance of informed, experience-based input from businesses that have already made the transition.

Read the full statement here

The Urgent Need to ‘End the Cage Age’

Across the EU, approximately 300 million farm animals – including hens, pigs, rabbits, calves, quails, ducks, and geese – are confined in cages every year. These systems severely restrict movement and prevent animals from expressing their most basic natural behaviours.

Cage-free farming has earned widespread support from citizens, scientists, and industry leaders across Europe. A recent Eurobarometer survey revealed that 94% of EU citizens believe farm animals should have enough space to move freely, and 86% support a full ban on cages.

Scientific consensus also supports the transition. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recommended abandoning cages for laying hens, breeding sows, quail, and ducks, citing serious welfare concerns.

The End the Cage Age movement has long campaigned for a ban on cages in intensive livestock farming. In 2021, following the success of the European Citizens’ Initiative – which gathered over 1.6 million signatures, with 1.4 million certified – the European Commission pledged to propose legislation to phase out cages. However, this commitment was delayed, with a new proposal now expected in 2026.

The signatories of the joint statement are calling on the Commission to honour its 2021 commitment by presenting the promised legislative proposal without further delay.

How can businesses shape EU Policy on animal welfare?

Join us on 9th October for our exclusive webinar on the European Commission's Cage-Free Consultation. Discover how companies can actively engage with the European Commission to drive meaningful change for farmed animals. Whether you're ready to show your support or simply curious to learn more — this is your chance to get involved.

Food Companies Call on EU to End Cage Farming