On 10 June 2021, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the European Citizens’ Initiative ‘End the Cage Age’, initiated by Compassion in World Farming and supported by 130 animal protection organizations from across the European Union, including Otwarte Klatki (Open Cages). By the end of 2023, the European Commission is expected to submit legislative proposals on the use of cages in livestock farming. As evidenced by numerous sociological studies, a significant proportion of public opinion in the European Union, including Poland, expects that the welfare of farmed animals be improved.
Due to changing consumer attitudes, among other factors, both retail chains and producers of products of animal origin have started to move away from the production and distribution of cage farming products, regardless of the legislation currently in force. Some countries in the European Union and beyond are also phasing out or have already phased out cage farming in the case of certain species of animals.
However, a significant proportion of farmed animals in Europe are still reared in cage systems, notably laying hens, sows, calves, rabbits, etc. American mink and other fur animals are also kept in cages. While fur farming will not be discussed in this report, it is worth noting that, according to studies, a significant proportion of Polish and European public opinion is opposed to fur farming in general and supports the call for a total ban. The European Commission has therefore initiated legislative work to phase out cages from livestock farming, and a resolution to that end is expected to be drafted by the end of 2023. In particular, the Commission’s proposal will concern (1) animals already covered by legislation: laying hens, sows and calves; (2) other animals mentioned in the ECI: rabbits, pullets, layer breeders, broiler breeders, quail, ducks and geese.
In the current European, and even global market for products of animal origin, Poland occupies one of the leading positions, and the cage system is widely used in the country. Therefore, there are concerns that the new EU regulations will have a significant impact on the national livestock industry. Usually, it is assessed that the resulting economic and social effects will be negative. Common concerns involve large investment costs that the producers will be forced to incur, an increase in prices, a drop in production, threat of bankruptcy for some agricultural holdings, compromise of national food security, etc. However, what is often not considered are the potential benefits of the proposed changes. These include modernising and strengthening the competitiveness of Polish production, increasing income, eliminating or reducing externalized costs, improving food quality and relieving the moral burden associated with the current farming system.
This report intends to examine the potential costs and benefits of phasing out cage farming in Poland, with a focus on economic and social aspects. The welfare of farmed animals will not be discussed in greater detail, as it has been the subject of other studies.