Farmers from across Europe joined campaigners outside the European Commission to mark World Cage Free Day.

The farmers, who each run cage-free farms, gathered outside the European Commission yesterday (March 25) to share their experiences with European policymakers and joining campaigners from the End the Cage Age (EtCA) coalition in urging the commission to deliver legislation to end the use of cages for all species.  

Commission officials and MEPs spoke to the farmers, who represented different farming systems and countries.

They were joined by campaigners from the EtCA coalition, including Compassion in World Farming, Eurogroup for Animals, Anima International, and FOUR PAWS.

Eva Vos, a Dutch hen farmer, said: “It's wonderful to see how we can give chickens the best life they deserve, while at the same time we can make positive impacts on biodiversity, climate, and producing healthy products.

The EtCA coalition kickstarted a 190-day countdown to the last quarter of 2026, which is when the commission has said it will start rolling out proposals to phase out cages, as advised by the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture. 

'Cage-free future'

Vinciane Patelou, head of EU at Compassion in World Farming, said: “European farmers have come to the European Commission to show that a cage-free future is not only possible, it’s already happening. 

“With 190 days until the commission is due to bring forward proposals, farmers, campaigners and citizens are calling on the EU to deliver on its promise and finally End the Cage Age for the 300 million animals still trapped in cages each year.”

In 2019, the EtCA launched its European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) to call for an EU ban on caged farming, which was signed by over 1.4 million EU citizens.

In 2021, the commission made a commitment to respond to the action by introducing legislative proposals for an EU ban on caged farming by the end of 2023.

At the time, the commission said: “While all farm animals benefit from current legislation on the protection of animals, only laying hens, broilers, sows, and calves are covered by rules on caging."

Farmers

Sjoerd Miedema, a Dutch calf farmer, said: “We take care of our livestock, but are also concerned about all the other living creatures on our farm.

Inge Vleemingh, a Dutch pig farmer, said: “As a farmer and young mother, I want my sows to enjoy a safe, happy life, rooting freely with their piglets by their side. 

“Choosing cage-free farming ensures high welfare and healthy, stress-free pork for our community. 

Axelle Eliot, French laying hens farmer, said: “In 2025, I started raising laying hens.

"On 1ha of outdoor range and in a 300m² building, my 1,800 hens provide organic eggs every day to a whole short‑supply‑chain network that immediately showed strong interest.

“This professional activity allows me to earn a minimum salary while still having time for other commitments.”