Question for written answer  E-003324/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Francisco Guerreiro (Verts/ALE)

The Commission has reneged on its commitment to overhaul animal welfare legislation, limiting itself to publishing only the proposal on transport during the current term.

Yet in Communication C(2021)4747[1], the Commission committed to proposing a ban on cage farming for all species named in the European citizens’ initiative ‘End the Cage Age’ as part of its plans to revise animal welfare legislation, with proposals to be published in the third quarter of 2023. The communication also mentioned that 2027 would be assessed as a potential date for the ban to come into effect.

On 10 June 2021, Parliament adopted a resolution[2] supporting the European citizens’ initiative with 558 votes in favour and 37 against.

A recently published investigation[3] into lobbying against the publication of animal welfare proposals reveals that ‘documents obtained through freedom of information (FOI) showed [European Livestock Voice] partner associations urging EU officials to “resist the pressure from NGOs [as] NGO perspectives do not reflect the views of the broad public”’.

According to recently published Eurobarometer survey results, 84 % of respondents want animals’ welfare to be better protected in the EU.

Could the Commission respond to the information presented in the investigation and explain its failure to present the animal welfare proposals?

Submitted: 9.11.2023

• [1] https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12842-Animal-welfare-End-the-Cage-Age-European-citizens-initiative_en.
• [2] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2021-0295_EN.html.
• [3] https://www.lighthousereports.com/investigation/animal-welfare-wrecked/.