European commission’s decision on the proposed citizens’ initiative to end “inhumane treatment of farm animals” kept in cages –
On 10th September 2018 it has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union the ‘Commission Decision (EU) 2018/1222 of 5 September 2018 on the proposed citizens’ initiative entitled ‘End the Cage Age’’. The objectives of the proposed Citizens’ Initiative are to end “inhumane treatment of farm animals” kept in cages. The organisers are asking the Commission to propose legislation to prohibit the use of: cages for laying hens, rabbits, pullets, broiler breeders, layer breeders, quail, ducks and geese; farrowing crates for sows; sow stalls and individual calf pens, where not already prohibited.
On 11th of September has started a one-year process of collection of signatures of support by its organisers. Following this process, should the initiative receive one million statements of support within one year, from at least seven different Member States, the Commission will have to react within three months.
The Commission said that it can then decide either to follow the request or not, and in both instances would be required to explain its reasoning.
This Decision shall enter into force on 11 September 2018.
Source:Commission Decision (EU) 2018/1222 of 5 September 2018 on the proposed citizens’ initiative entitled ‘End the Cage Age’ (notified under document C(2018) 5829), OJEU L 227, 10.9.2018, p. 7-8
