10 June 2021 – The Members of the European Parliament voted in favour of a motion for a resolution on the European Citizens Initiative (ECI) “End the Cage Age”. Following a strong hearing in Parliament with positive statements from both, members of the Committee of Agriculture (AGRI) and Petition (PETI) on 15 April the European Parliament now joins forces together with 1.4 million EU citizens, over 170 organisations and scientists – first and foremost Dr Jane Goodall – to call for an end to the outdated and cruel caging of animals in the EU. Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS welcomes the decision of the MEPs and strongly urges the European Commission to take a strong stance and respond to the call appropriately by proposing new legislation.

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the interlinkage between animal welfare, human wellbeing and the environment. Evidence shows that 75 per cent of emerging infectious diseases originate in animals, meaning they are zoonotic.

“EU institutions need to address the negative impact of sick farming methods such as cage farming and embrace the collective movement against them to also prevent future pandemics”, says Sultana.