Ursula von der Leyen is set to deliver the State of the European Union speech on 16 September, and animal‑rights groups are using the occasion to remind the Commission of a promise made six years ago.

In October 2020, the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) "End the Cage Age", organised by Compassion in World Farming and backed by more than 170 organisations, gathered over 1.4 million verified signatures. The petition called for an EU‑wide ban on cage systems in animal farming, a demand that was endorsed by the European Parliament in June 2021 with 558 votes in favour and 37 against.

The Commission responded that it would propose legislation to "phase out, and finally prohibit, the use of cage systems" by the end of 2023. Five years later, no draft has been tabled, and the initiators have taken the case to the Court of Justice, seeking an explanation for the delay.

Activists push for a concrete timeline

Over the past months, thousands of demonstrators have gathered in Brussels, signed targeted petitions and joined coordinated campaigns to keep the issue on the political agenda. The latest move comes from the animal‑rights coalition Animal Equality, which wrote an open letter to President von der Leyen urging her to announce two specific commitments in her upcoming address: a definitive phase‑out date for cages and an end to the systematic killing of day‑old male chicks.

"On 16 September, say the two things: the phase‑out of cages, and the end of the systematic killing of day‑old male chicks. Then put them in the Letter of Intent with the quarter you expect them. Two sentences and one line," the letter reads.

Activists argue that the Commission's own consultation on the matter, which closed in December and attracted 236,523 valid responses, shows sustained public interest. They contend that the EU's reputation for democratic participation is undermined when a petition that mobilised over a million citizens is left unanswered for half a decade.

Legislative timetable under pressure

The EU's Livestock Strategy, published earlier this year, outlines two forthcoming proposals: one by the end of 2026 and another in the second quarter of 2027. Both would need to pass the ordinary legislative procedure, meaning that any further postponement could push the final ban well beyond 2030.

Critics warn that the length of transition periods, possible exemptions for certain member states, and arguments about competitiveness could dilute the standards originally promised. "Every month matters," said a spokesperson for the initiative, noting that the longer the debate drags on, the more likely compromises will erode the core welfare goals.

Industry representatives have so far argued that a sudden ban could disrupt supply chains and increase costs for farmers, especially in regions where intensive livestock production remains a major economic pillar. They call for a phased approach that allows time for structural adjustments and the development of alternative housing systems.

Trade unions representing agricultural workers have expressed mixed views. While many welcome stronger animal‑welfare standards, they also stress the need for safeguards that protect jobs and ensure that any transition does not lead to layoffs or reduced wages.

European democratic tools under scrutiny

The ECI remains one of the few mechanisms worldwide that allows citizens to propose legislation directly to EU institutions. Its apparent neglect in this case fuels a broader debate about the effectiveness of participatory democracy in Brussels.

"An instrument that collects more than a million signatures, receives a favourable reply, and then goes quiet for five years tells people exactly what their participation was worth," said a spokesperson for Animal Equality. "The Union spends a great deal of effort arguing abroad that democratic government listens. That argument is easier to make when you can point at something small and finished."

Should von der Leyen include the two‑sentence commitment in her speech, it would signal that the Commission is willing to act on the ECI's demand and could restore some confidence in the EU's participatory processes. Conversely, a vague reference without a clear timetable would likely reignite protests and could prompt further legal action.

For European consumers, the outcome matters beyond animal welfare. A ban on cages could reshape market dynamics, potentially leading to higher prices for eggs and pork in the short term but also encouraging the development of higher‑welfare production models that align with growing demand for ethical food across the continent.

As the State of the Union address approaches, the pressure on Brussels to translate a six‑year‑old petition into concrete policy is mounting. Whether the Commission will seize the moment to deliver on its promise remains to be seen, but the stakes for citizens, farmers and the wider food system are clear.