The European Commission’s work programme for next year was announced this week. Despite repeated assurances that new legislative proposals would be introduced to ban cages and modernise EU animal welfare laws in 2026, these critical proposals were missing from the work plan.

Millions of voices ignored

We know the European Commission is working on proposals to ban cages; however, the omission from the work programme casts doubts over the timeline for delivering these. It is also a huge disappointment for over 1.4 million people and 170 organisations who backed the End the Cage Age European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) in 2019.

After the historic ECI campaign, the Commission pledged to bring forward proposals to improve animal welfare by 2023. Yet, two years later, millions of animals remain trapped in cages – and citizens are still waiting for change.

Legal action

In 2024, the Citizens’ Committee of the End the Cage Age ECI, with our support, launched a landmark legal action against the Commission to demand a clear timescale for the proposals to be delivered.

But in the 2026 work programme, the only animal welfare measure included is a vague, non-legislative initiative on “livestock including elements of animal welfare” – not the legislative proposal to ban cages that was originally promised. This makes the outcome of the End the Cage Age legal action even more important.

There can be no more delays

Vinciane Patelou, Head of our EU Office, said:

The Commission has repeatedly insisted that it will present proposals to End the Cage Age in late 2026, in line with the EU’s Vision for Agriculture and Food – so why not include the proposals in the Work Programme?

This sends a worrying message to the millions of EU citizens who support it and expect this legislation to be delivered. 

Millions of animals are still trapped and suffering in cages across Europe, farmers and food businesses still need urgent clarity, and EU citizens want their voices to be heard and for the EU to keep its promise. There can be no further delays.

Holding the EU to account

We will continue to push hard for progress – responding to the EU consultation on animal welfare reforms and working with the Commission to provide input to meaningfully reform outdated animal welfare legislation.

We will also be stepping up our campaign to hold the Commission accountable, calling for a ban on cages by 2026.

EU fails to include cage ban in 2026 work plan