In the latest wave of activity, three statements signed by 18 companies, were submitted to the European Commission on 10 December, each focused on a key species: hens, sows, and rabbits.

These statements were signed by companies, including Bompieri Group, Fumagalli Industria Alimentari, Coop UK, and Accor, which have made voluntary commitments to remove cage systems from their supply chains for a specific species.

Together, they call on the Commission to prioritise and enact strong legislation to ban the use of cages for hens, sows, and rabbits across Europe.

Building on earlier pressure to drive legislative change

This latest wave of corporate support follows earlier action from companies and investors urging the Commission to prohibit cages and create a level playing field across Europe and non-EU trade:

A joint letter from 18 businesses in September, including Lidl, Sodexo, and Ferrero Group, who have already implemented cage-free supply chains for laying hens.
In November, nine investors representing $383 billion in assets under management reinforced the call with a separate letter to the Commission.

Industry support for cage-free production

Industry’s message is clear: transitioning to cage-free systems is achievable, commercially viable, and companies and producers are ready to share practical experience to shape new legislation that phases out the use of cages.

Vinciane Patelou, Head of EU at Compassion in World Farming, said:

Companies know the future is cage-free, and this statement is a powerful endorsement of the EU’s expected legislation to phase out the use of cages in Europe.

Thanks to these trailblazers, cage-free products are becoming more mainstream, and the market is shifting, confirming that cages are not necessary in animal farming. But EU harmonisation is absolutely necessary to confine cages to history once and for all.

Public support for a cage ban

In the EU, almost 300 million animals are confined in cages every year, despite:

94% of Europeans believing animals should have enough space to move freely.
86% supporting a full ban on cages.

Legislation is needed to create a level playing field

In 2021, following the successful End the Cage Age European Citizens’ Initiative, supported by 1.4 million citizens and 170 NGOs, the Commission pledged to propose legislation by 2023 that would phase out cages. However, the Commission failed to meet its own deadline, and new proposals are now expected in 2026.

Read more about how food companies are influencing legislation to drive systemic change for farm animal welfare and sustainable food production.

Leading European food companies urge EU to ban cages