The call was presented during the AGRIFISH Council this week, in which agricultural ministers met in Brussels. Put forward by Sweden, it was supported by Sweden, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Slovenia. In addition, Bulgaria, Czechia, the Netherlands, Estonia and Slovakia also spoke up in favour.

The Member States emphasised the need to revise severely outdated animal welfare legislation on the keeping of animals, slaughter and labelling, in line with the latest scientific advances. Several representatives also stressed that updated EU rules should apply to all imported animal-products. 

They called on the EC to prioritise the phase out of cages for farmed animals as per the demand of the End the Cage Age ECI, which was endorsed by the European Parliament. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has, in several scientific opinions, called for the need to phase out farrowing crates for sows, enriched cages for hens, and individual pens for young calves. 

Germany added that the new rules should also include a ban on fur farming, in line with the Fur Free Europe ECI.

The supporting Member States noted that the revision of the legislation is a crucial step for the EU to achieve its green transition and for the development of a sustainable food system, while it addresses consumer expectations, who have long called for better animal welfare standards. A holistic approach would also ensure a competitive environment for producers along the food chain, they added. 

Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Oliver Várhelyireplied that the EC intends to modernise the rules on animal welfare, which are now two decades old, promising to follow up on the demands of citizens to phase out cages, as per the ask of the End the Cage Age ECI. He also stressed that modernised rules are crucial to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).