EU Proposes Phased Ban on Hen Cages
The European Commission has put forward a 12-year transition plan to phase out cages for laying hens across the bloc.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Organic Food
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The European Commission proposed a phased ban on cages for laying hens, a measure it says would free around 143 million hens each year. The plan follows the End the Cage Age citizens' initiative, which was signed by more than 1.4 million people.
Why it matters
The proposal responds to a large citizens' initiative and would reshape welfare standards for one of the EU's major livestock sectors. Its reach extends beyond Europe, since it would also set equivalent welfare requirements for imported poultry products.
The proposed ban would free around 143 million hens each year over a 12-year transition period. The End the Cage Age initiative gathered more than 1.4 million signatures, and it remains unclear how the transition will be enforced across member states.
The players
European Commission
The executive body of the European Union that proposes legislation and is responsible for enforcing EU law.
End the Cage Age
A citizens' coalition behind the initiative that campaigns for an end to caged farming of laying hens across Europe.
The details
The proposals would merge the Directives on laying hens and meat chickens into a single Regulation and include a ban on male chick culling. The plan was leaked to the press before its official publication.
Timeline
2021: The Commission committed to legislative proposals responding to the citizens' initiative.
2023: The deadline set for the Commission's legislative proposals on the initiative.
Monday 9 November 2026: Animal welfare NGOs welcomed the planned phased cage ban.
Organic Food Trajectory
The proposal follows the End the Cage Age European Citizens' Initiative, which the Commission committed in 2021 to answer with legislation by 2023. It fits a wider push in EU food policy toward higher animal welfare standards for poultry production.
For shoppers, the proposed rules could change the eggs and poultry products sold in European stores over the coming decade. Imported poultry would also have to meet equivalent welfare requirements under the plan.
The takeaway
Animal welfare rules are moving from voluntary labelling toward binding production standards, which can change both farm practices and grocery choices. Shoppers who care about hen welfare can watch how the phase-out timeline and import rules develop.
Further reading
Explore more on Organic Food to see how animal welfare standards shape what ends up on grocery shelves.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Agence Europe.
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Should the EU ban cages for laying hens within the next decade?
