Protest in Brussels: activists demand the EU to keep its promises regarding the ban on cages for animals.

Several hundred animal rights activists gathered on September 28, 2026, in front of the EU office for health and food safety in Brussels. They protested against the European Commission's delays in banning cages for poultry and the killing of male chicks.

In its July strategy on animal husbandry, the Commission committed to preparing a draft regulation prohibiting these practices by the end of 2026. Similar regulations concerning the welfare of pigs are expected to be introduced by mid-2027. The whole issue stems from the European Citizens' Initiative "End the Cage Age" from 2021, which was signed by 1.4 million people. Most Members of the European Parliament later supported a gradual phase-out of cage farming.

Initially, the Commission promised to present the draft by 2024, but the deadline was missed, partly due to strong opposition from agricultural lobbyists.

"We are here because the EU has been delaying real reforms for animals for years. Our democratic demand must be respected. We feel betrayed by broken promises and want the Commission to do what it promised," said Ombretta Alessandrini from the organization Animal Equality, which organized the protest.

Animal Equality, along with other organizations, has also brought a case against the Commission to the Court of Justice of the EU (to be considered in March). The Commission has a legal obligation to respond to citizens' initiatives that gather over a million signatures.