European Parliament calls for end of caged farming by 2027

The European Parliament overwhelmingly demanded a ban on the use of cages in animal agriculture by 2027, in a non-binding resolution passed today.

The vote came in response to a petition called "End the Cage Age," signed by 1.4 million EU citizens, which demands the phasing out of cages on farms. Parliament's move now cranks up the pressure on the European Commission, which is expected to officially respond to the petition on June 30.

The resolution passed with 558 votes in favor, 37 against and 85 abstentions.

Speaking in the plenary of the Parliament today, the German MEP and European People's Party member Norbert Lins said it was a question of striking "the right balance" between animal welfare and the impact on farmers and competitiveness. He described 2027 as a “possible date.”

EU Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakides told MEPs the Commission is considering a request contained within the resolution to apply the exact same animal welfare standards to meat imported from outside the EU as European farmers have to meet inside the bloc. Kyriakides also noted the call for farmers to be compensated and supported in their transition away from cages.

“The Commission is looking at these requests, taking into account the need for a science-based approach and the EU's obligation under the WTO [World Trade Organization],” she said.

“Our rules need to change and that is a very clear call from our citizens.”

Notably, she did not commit to the 2027 date during the debate, but said the phase-out would happen “as soon as feasible.”