Why animal welfare reforms have all but vanished from the EU agenda
- Posted on April 21, 2026
- By Le Monde
- 0 Views
- 1 min read
In brief
European Union's ambitious animal welfare legislation has stalled significantly since early 2024, with proposed bans on intensive cage farming systems facing considerable setbacks. Following widespread farmer demonstrations and political pressure, policymakers have deprioritized animal protection measures on the legislative calendar. This shift reflects mounting tensions between agricultural industry interests and welfare advocacy, raising questions about the EU's commitment to implementing comprehensive reforms that would modernize farming practices across member states.
Why animal welfare reforms have all but vanished from the EU agenda
A sweeping legislative overhaul, which was meant to ban caged farming among other measures, has been awaited for more than two years. Since the wave of farmer protests in the winter of 2023-2024, protections for animal welfare have been rolled back.
