ADM, Carrefour lead calls to ban caged food production in the EU

EUROPE – Major food companies, including Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) and Carrefour, a French retailing giant, are amplifying their efforts to eliminate caged food production across Europe. 

The momentum follows the release of the EU’s Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture, which advocates for ending caged farming by 2026. 

This has sparked renewed attention on animal welfare, driven by consumer demand and campaigns like Compassion in World Farming (CIWF)’s “End the Cage Age.”

With more than 1.4 million European citizens signing the End the Cage Age initiative, public disapproval of caged farming practices is clear. 

A CIWF spokesperson emphasised that, despite progress, 300 million farm animals remain caged across the EU. These include 40% of laying hens, 90% of farmed ducks, and nearly all farmed rabbits and breeding sows.

Carrefour is among the companies pushing for change. A representative explained their commitment to cage-free food products, reflecting growing consumer preference for higher animal welfare standards. 

“We support introducing an EU-wide ban on cages for laying hens,” the Carrefour spokesperson said.

According to CIWF’s report, European food and beverage companies have made over 1,400 commitments to transition to cage-free systems for laying hens, with 800 of these targets already achieved. 

The report also revealed that 94% of EU citizens want more space for farm animals, while 89% oppose keeping farm animals in individual cages.

CIWF CEO Philip Lymbery praised the progress but urged the European Commission to present clear legislation to phase out caged farming across all species. 

“Businesses are proving that large-scale cage-free farming is not only achievable but the right thing to do—for their customers, their brand, and the animals in their supply chain,” said Lymbery.

Scientists and campaigners agree that a clear timeline is needed to help producers adapt to the impending ban. 

Dr Tracey Jones, CIWF’s global director of food business, stressed that while the call for cage-free farming is gaining traction, producers need clarity on the requirements and transition support to ensure a smooth shift to cage-free systems.

ADM ready to meet sustainable soy demand 

In another sustainability commitment, ADM’s CEO Juan Luciano recently emphasised ADM’s commitment to sustainability and traceability for its soybeans business, especially as the European Union’s new deforestation regulations are set to take effect by the end of this year.

ADM recently shipped 2.4 million bushels (around 64,000 metric tons) of fully traceable U.S. soybeans to Europe, marking a significant milestone in a pilot program to meet new market and regulatory demands. 

This initiative is part of ADM’s broader strategy to achieve 100% deforestation-free supply chains by 2025.

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