70% of Bulgarians want to end the industrial breeding of animals in cages – 2024-02-20 06:45:27

According to a 2023 poll by Market Links, just over two-thirds of Bulgarian citizens believe that Bulgaria should support the phasing out of industrial cage farming in the EU, and more than half would vote for a politician who takes this position .

Cage farming affects millions of laying hens, sows, calves, quails, rabbits, ducks and geese in industrial farms.

“Raising sensitive, intelligent creatures in cramped cages where they can’t even turn, stretch or care for their young is a nightmare. Caging causes animals distress, extreme physical discomfort, psychological disturbances and suffering. This practice has no place in the 21st century and all of us as a society even intuitively understand it”, says Elia Tileva, an activist from the civil organization “Invisible Animals”.

The results of the survey point out that:

• 82% of people support the assertion that animals used in the food flavor industry have the right to live outside cages and in natural or near-natural environments;
• just over two-thirds (70%) believe that Bulgaria should support the gradual cessation of the industrial breeding of animals in cages and their breeding in healthier and more humane conditions – as in other EU countries;
• the majority of respondents – 59%would vote for a politician who stands up for the cause of animals raised for meat, eggs and other animal products not being raised in cages and in unhealthy conditions;
• according to two-thirds of respondents (68%) it is up to the country or the EU and the laws that are passed to change welfare standards so that cage farming is stopped entirely;
• almost half of adult Bulgarians (46%) would prefer products from companies that raise animals on their farms under better conditions and with more humane treatment, even if the price is higher, and another 37% would prefer such products in principle, but depending on how much the higher the price will be.

For the purposes of the research, 1014 respondents (18+ years) were surveyed by means of a direct interview and an online panel.

The problem was already addressed at the level of the European Union just a few years ago through the European citizens’ initiative “End of Cells”, which collected a total of over 1.4 million signatures. At the moment, however, actions for the entry into force of such a change have not been taken – neither in Europe, nor in Bulgaria.