Observatorio de Bienestar Animal
OBA
Animal Welfare Observatory is devoted to fighting for a food system free of intensive animal farming, guided by animal welfare, human health and the protection of the planet.
ID: 540204594264-74
Lobbying Activity
Response to Modernisation of the EU legislation for on-farm animal welfare for certain animals
16 Jul 2025
EU legislation on animal welfare is outdated in relation to the most recent scientific advances and social expectations, which demand a significant improvement in the living conditions of farm animals, especially with regard to the use of cages. From the Spanish organization Observatorio de Bienestar Animal (Animal Welfare Observatory) we want to emphasize the urgency of abandoning the use of cages, taking into account the very high number of cages that exist in Spain, and to bet on alternative systems. These are some of the reasons that support this need: A) Spain is one of the countries in the EU with the most millions of animals still being raised in cages. Specifically, 65 million animals are still raised in confined conditions: - 2.5 million of sows are caged. - 30 million rabbits live in cages. - 30.5 million laying hens are still in cages. B) We have a strong citizen support in Spain: A total of 85,756 Spanish citizens supported the European Citizens' Initiative End the Cage Age / Fin a la Era de las Jaulas. Moreover, according to the 2023 Eurobarometer on animal welfare 85 % of Spaniards believe it is essential to ensure that animals are not confined in individual cages. In addition, Animal Welfare Observatory commissioned IPSOS a national survey in which 6000 people responded to the question: Do you think caged laying hens should be banned in the EU? and 67% supported the ban unconditionally. C) Other countries have already taken measures: Spain lags behind. While countries such as Sweden have already banned sow crates, others have started to make significant progress: Germany has banned cages fitted out for hens from this year (with exceptions until 2028), will eliminate gestation crates in 2028 and will limit the use of farrowing crates to a maximum of five days from 2035. Austria and Luxembourg have already banned enriched cages for laying hens. Slovakia plans to ban them in 2030 through an agreement between the government and the industry. The Czech Republic will eliminate the use of cages in laying hen farming from 2027. D) The Spanish market is already betting on cage-free systems. Despite the legislative delay, Spanish food companies are leading a transition towards more ethical farming models: 186 companies have adopted commitments to cage-free rearing of laying hens. Producers like Grupo Avícola Rujamar, brands such as Dhul, Ametller Origen and Grupo Reina, supermarkets such as Condis, Sorli, Ahorramas and Supersol, and major international brands present in Spain such as Lidl operate a 100% cage free system in their products. Also, in March 2021 EU food industry leaders sent a joint letter to the European Commission and members of the European Parliament calling for a gradual phasing-out of the EU's food calling for a gradual phasing out of the use of cages in animal husbandry. Among the signatories were ALDI, Barilla Group, Ferrero, IKEA, Mondelēz, Unilever and Nestlé. They argued: "cage-free systems are widespread, economically viable and provide better living conditions for animals." We have the example of Spanish regions such as Castilla La Mancha with the highest egg production that are subsidizing farmers for the transition to eradicate cages. Conclusion: The elimination of cages is a public demand, an ethical necessity backed by science, and a growing trend within the agri-food sector itself. To do so, we must ensure that all products imported into the European Union meet future cage-free standards, and that the EU implement incentive systems and financial support to European livestock farming during the transition to cage-free farming. The revision of animal welfare legislation must address the use of cages in all species, including those not currently covered by specific regulations. This reform must also ensure a level playing field for all farmers and food companies. Spain cannot be left behind in this transition towards a more humane and sustainable livestock farming.
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