Dutch researchers say that there are sufficient alternatives to cages and pens for chickens and pigs in the EU, and that abolishing cages benefits animal welfare. If the European Union wants to encourage farmers to abolish cages, the additional costs must be paid in some way.
A transition to cage-free housing for laying hens is possible if the increased costs can be recovered. This can be achieved either through a price-product mechanism or through premiums or subsidies, researcher Professor Bas Rodenburg said when asked by Nieuwe Oogst.
At the request of the European Parliament, behavioral biologists, veterinarians, and ethicists from Utrecht University conducted a literature review of practical examples of cage-free systems, especially for chickens and pigs.
The researchers advise the EU to promote a transition to cage-free systems via European subsidies. Furthermore, added value in animal welfare should be passed on to the consumer, and that amount should benefit the investor: the farmer.
The three-month research consisted solely of a written literature study. The researchers advise the European Parliament to involve the sector in the next steps when considering and advising on innovations in their operations.
Tomorrow (Tuesday), the results will be presented in Brussels to the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament. The presentation will be given by Prof. Bas Rodenburg, Professor of Animal Welfare, and Maite van Gerwen, Project Leader at CenSAS, both from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University.
According to Rodenburg, education and instruction about animal welfare still have room for improvement. There remains a significant lack of understanding and knowledge about animal welfare. To successfully make the transition, poultry farmers need to be trained and learn to work with such systems, Rodenburg will advocate tomorrow.
Later this week (Thursday), the European Parliament will also discuss the citizens' petition for a ban on cages. This Citizens' Initiative will be discussed in a hearing by the Committees on Agriculture (AGRI) and Petitions (PETI). The petition has been signed nearly 1.4 million times Europe-wide.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2020/658539/IPOL_STU(2020)658539_EN.pdf