ROME—Animal protection groups across Italy have welcomed the new cage-free fund established in the 2026 Budget Law of the Italian Parliament, calling it “a good first step for animal welfare”.
The fund is the first permanent public funding in Italy dedicated exclusively to supporting the transition to cage-free animal farming systems. With the first signature of Senator Domenica Spinelli, from the Government majority, it allocates €500,000 for 2026, followed by €1 million annually from 2027 onwards. More than 40 million farmed animals in Italy are still confined in cages every year.
“The approval of the cage-free fund is a first step toward encouraging this fundamental and inevitable transition,” said Martina Pluda, country director of Humane World for Animals Italy (formerly called Humane Society International), alongside NGO partners in the Italian End the Cage Age coalition.
“The confinement of farmed animals in cages is a cruel and outdated practice, incompatible with any meaningful concept of animal welfare. This is not only an ethical position, but a scientific one as well: the most recent opinions of the European Food Safety Authority clearly acknowledge the limits of cage systems in animal farming and recommend a transition to alternative ones.”
“While we are disappointed that the allocation was significantly reduced, we will continue working to ensure that funding is increased and to push for the phase-out of cages on Italian farms with the aim of improving the lives of millions of animals farmed for food.”
Annamaria Pisapia, head of Compassion in World Farming Italy, said: “The initial proposal for the fund was a clear political signal, and we thank Senator Domenica Spinelli and cross-party co-signatories Senators Patuanelli, Cucchi, Malpezzi, Potenti, Unterberger and Biancofiore for promoting this measure, as well as all the parliamentary forces that responsibly supported it. We regret that this intention was then watered down during the review by the Senate Budget Committee.”
Animal welfare is a growing priority for European citizens: according to the latest Eurobarometer survey, 91% of Italian citizens oppose the use of individual cages, and 1.4 million people signed the European Citizens’ Initiative “End the Cage Age” in 2019.
“Despite its regrettably low endowment, the cage-free fund is now law,” Pisapia added. “While waiting for comprehensive EU legislation, now more ambition is needed. As animal protection NGOs, we are ready to work with the Italian Government and Parliament to help devise a smooth cage-free transition. We will continue to advocate for the cage-free fund to be increased in the coming years.”
