There are 1.5 million signatures of European citizens against the use of cages on animal farms. The End the Cage Age initiative ended on 11.9.19, after a year-long campaign.
The word from the European Commission
The End the Cage Age petition, supported by more than 170 organizations across Europe, calls for action by the European Commission to improve the welfare of farm animals. First, overcoming confinement in small, overcrowded cages that prevent animals from moving around.
Cages are still common in the rearing of laying hens. Still some 200 million hens are kept in cages, in united Europe, although there is no shortage of alternatives. Starting with the organic farming system where cages are banned, as noted. But also in cases, mentioned on the egg label, of ‘free-range’ or ‘free-range’. Maybe even ‘without antibiotics’.
Rabbits-about 120 million in Europe-are also raised in small cages. And the same fate befalls the approximately 12 million sows, CIWF Italy reports.
Something is moving
The ban on keeping animals in cages is already a reality in some European countries. Sweden has already banned the use of this method for sows. While in the UK the ban applies to the gestation period only, not also to breastfeeding.
For laying hens, however, the use of cages is already banned in Luxembourg. Austria and Germany will follow in 2020 and 2025, respectively.
The broad support of European citizens for the End the Cage Age petition-more than 95,000 signatures in Italy- compels the European Commission to examine the petition. ‘Public opinion is widely in favor of improving the welfare of farmed animals. 94% of the European population considers the protection of animal welfare on farms to be an issue of paramount importance, and 82% call for better protection of farmed animals‘, CIWF Italy comments.
#Égalité
Marta Strinati and Dario Dongo
Notes
Among the 170 organizations, 20 are Italian. Its members include Animal Law, Animal aid, Animal Equality, CIWF Italia Onlus, Lega Nazionale Difesa del Cane, Legambiente, Amici della Terra, Il Fatto Alimentare, Terra Nuova, Slow Food, Confconsumatori, League for the Abolition of Hunting, Jane Goodall Institute, Terra! Onlus, Animalisti Italiani, ENPA, LAV, Animal Rights Party, LEIDAA, OIPA, LUMEN.
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
