Plans to build the world's first commercial octopus factory farm on Gran Canaria, Spain, have now officially been abandoned. The decision comes after years of pressure from Project 1882, alongside scientists, experts, and other animal welfare organisations. This marks a significant progress for animal welfare and means that up to one million octopuses a year will be spared from being bred and killed in industrial production.

On 7 July, the European Commission presented two major initiatives: the new “Livestock Strategy” and the “Protein Action Plan”. Together, they set the direction for the future of Europe’s food system – with major implications for animals, the climate and how our food is produced. There is now an indicative timeline for phasing out of cages in the EU including an import ban on cage eggs.

A major step forward for hens in Ukraine: McDonald’s Ukraine has announced that it is now 100% cage-free following discussions with Project 1882. The commitment means that all eggs used across McDonald’s more than 120 restaurants in Ukraine now come from cage-free systems instead of hens confined in cages. It is a significant milestone in a country where around 98% of the egg-laying hens are still kept in cages.

The European Commission is stepping back from plans to revise the REACH chemicals legislation. According to Project 1882, the decision could slow progress toward a future without animal testing, but it may also create an opportunity for a faster phase-out.