Over 300 activists protest in Brussels as European Union stalls on animal protection reforms
The protests, which took place from September 28 to 30, 2026, brought together over 300 activists from across Europe outside the European Commission’s headquarters in Brussels.
The mobilization marks the latest escalation in Animal Equality’s ongoing ‘EU: Your Delays, Their Suffering’ campaign to end cages for farmed animals in Europe.
Their demand was clear: the European Union made a promise to farmed animals. It is time to keep it.
What are the stalled EU’s animal protection commitments?
The European Union formally committed to banning cages for laying hens and ending the killing of male chicks, a standard practice in the egg industry where male chicks are killed at birth.
That commitment was made in response to a European Citizens’ Initiative signed by 1.4 million people calling for an end to cages across Europe. For two consecutive years, animal protection has not appeared in that agenda. Animal Equality is demanding that changes this year.
Animal Equality is urging EU leaders to deliver on these promises before the end of 2026, and to include a clear plan with firm dates and timelines to end cages for mother pigs in the EU’s legislative agenda for 2027.
The EU leaders Animal Equality is calling on to act
Animal Equality is directing its demands at four members of the European Commission: President Ursula von der Leyen; Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food; Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare; and Maroš Šefčovič, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security.
We will not stop until this result is achieved. In the streets and beyond, we will make sure that the European Commission’s official commitments are not betrayed, and that these demands can no longer be ignored.” – Matteo Cupi, Vice President of Animal Equality Europe
The EU’s decisions set a global precedent for how farmed animals are treated. Animal Equality will continue to hold the European Commission accountable until those commitments are honored.
{firstname}, millions of animals are confined to cages in factory farms.
Through investigations, campaigns, and public awareness, we are changing this.
Support our work today:
{firstname}, thank you for signing this petition to help animals.
Your voice is important as we create a world where all animals are respected and protected. Help us continue to spread the word, and please share this petition with your friends and family.
Share this petition
You can end this cruelty! Please sign our petition calling for ending factory farming in the United States.
Save Animals from Abuse
Pigs, cows, and other animals feel pain and deserve to be protected from abuse.
You can protect these intelligent animals by simply choosing plant‑based alternatives.