Disrupting projection in Brussels: the EU Commission becomes the Factory Farms Headquarters
Animal Equality held an historic projection on the European Commission Berlaymont building in Brussels, denouncing the influence of the animal farming industry on European authorities who are in charge to deliver the new proposal of the animal welfare legislation by 2026.
The complaint on the Commission’s facade
After having brought to light the interference of the animal farming industry in the public meetings of European commissioners responsible for millions of animals raised for food, the night of April 14th, Animal Equality denounced the closeness between that same industry and the EU Commission.
The organization projected messages that reveal the true nature of this institution on its Brussels building: “Factory Farms Headquarters”, “EU: stop serving the farming industry” and “Ban cages and end male chicks killing” are the writings that appeared on the Berlaymont building, accompanied by the faces of the European Commissioner for Animal Health and Welfare Olivér Várhelyi, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen and the EU President Ursula von der Leyen.
The projection points the finger directly at European authorities for serving the interests of the factory farming industry.
Due to the industry’s interference in Europe’s decision-making center and the complicity of European commissioners, in fact, the EU is experiencing multi-year delays in submitting a proposal to reform European animal welfare legislation.
Farming industry sets the EU Commission’s agenda
According to the analysis carried out by Animal Equality on the public meetings of the European Commissioners Várhelyi and Hansen, the access of the animal farming industry to the European Commission is concerning.
Animal Equality has analysed 708 public meetings listed in the European Commission’s official public register, revealing that over the past 15 months the European Commissioners responsible for the failure to update animal welfare legislation in Europe have met almost exclusively with representatives of the animal farming industry.
In at least 46 meetings, held between mid December 2024 until March 2026 by the EU Commissioners Olivér Várhelyi and Christophe Hansen, including their cabinets, the meat, poultry and dairy industry discussed animal welfare with the two Commissioners and their cabinets, seven times more than official meetings held with animal rights NGOs.
In that period, Olivér Várhelyi, EU Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, and Christophe Hansen, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, officials responsible for 300 million confined in cages and millions of male chicks killed, almost never met the organisations that defend those animals. The words ‘cage’ and the expression ‘chick culling’ never appeared in the subject matter from the EU Transparency Register of 708 public meetings.
Our projection on Berlaymont – the European Commission building – in Brussels reveals the Commission’s true nature: subservient to industry interests, it ignores its official commitments, and tramples on the legitimate and democratic demands of millions of citizens demanding an end to animal cruelty in Europe. Animal Equality will not back down until EU institutions do their part for animals: urgent, ambitious, and no longer postponable reform is needed.
Matteo Cupi, Vice President of Animal Equality Europe
Join the fight
As the European Commission continues to bow to the animal farming industry, we – and millions of citizens – demand immediate, decisive action to stop the suffering of millions of animals.”
We call on Commissioners Várhelyi and Hansen to present an ambitious and binding proposal for animal welfare legislation by 2026. To do so, they must listen to animal rights organizations and citizens who have been calling for years for a ban on cruel practices such as force-feeding, cages, and the killing of male chicks.
We must protect animals. The factory farming industry has no place in decisions about animal welfare. Our voices are more powerful than their profit. Together, we can make a difference and change their lives, forever.
ACT NOW
