EU unveils new food policy – a crucial turning point for animals

Important progress for animals, but no vision beyond factory farming

The strategy contains several long-awaited commitments for animals. In addition to setting timelines for new legislation, it includes measures to end the killing of male chicks and acknowledges the need to phase out cages for laying hens. The strategy also highlights the principle that imported animal products should comply with EU animal welfare standards. This opens the door to future restrictions on imports of eggs from caged hens, creating additional incentives for producers both within and outside the EU to move away from cage systems. These are issues that animal advocacy organizations and the End the Cage Age campaign have pushed for over many years.

Project 1882 welcomes these developments, particularly the renewed momentum towards ending cages across Europe.

“The fact that the EU is now setting timelines for new animal welfare legislation is an important step and highly important for the European work to phase out cages. But it is the very least we can ask for – we need a clear transition away from factory farming. The EU must set clear, binding requirements based on the needs of the animals – not those of the market. The structural changes that Project 1882 sees are needed – including reducing the number of animals in factory farms and shifting consumption patterns – are still missing.”

– Benny Andersson, CEO, Project 1882

At the same time, Project 1882 is concerned about the overall direction of the strategy. The Commission presents livestock production as central to competitiveness, food security, and economic growth. This position has gained further political support following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as concerns about resilience and food supply have increased.

However, the strategy does not address the need to reduce meat consumption or accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable food system. Improved welfare standards are important, but they do not address the broader environmental, climate, and ethical challenges linked to intensive livestock production.

There is a clear risk that animal welfare will continue to be treated as a tool for productivity and competitiveness, rather than as a goal in its own right.

A defining moment for Ukraine

The new EU strategy is also highly significant for Ukraine, where around 98% of laying hens are still kept in cages, many of them in conventional battery cages.

As Ukraine continues its path towards EU membership, alignment with future EU animal welfare legislation will become increasingly important. Progress on phasing out cages will also be crucial for maintaining and expanding access to European markets. As the EU moves towards requiring imported products to meet EU animal welfare standards, producers that continue to rely on cage systems risk facing significant barriers to trade in the future.

"As the EU prepares new regulations, Ukraine has an opportunity to show leadership by starting the transition away from cages now. This would strengthen the country's EU integration process, improve conditions for millions of animals, and help secure long-term access to European markets. At a time of climate urgency, biodiversity loss and geopolitical instability, the decisions made today will shape the future for animals, food systems and sustainability across Europe."

– Benny Andersson, CEO, Project 1882

Read more about our work in Ukraine: Project 1882 in Ukraine | Project 1882