Sweden Ends Hen Cages Without a Law
Through decades of relentless advocacy, Sweden has become the first country to go cage-free for egg-laying hens—without passing a single law to mandate it.
A Major Win for Animal Welfare
Sweden has done what no other country has: eliminated cages for egg-laying hens without a legal ban. This historic shift was not led by legislation but by people—citizens, advocates, companies, and municipalities.
At the heart of this effort is Project 1882, an animal protection organization that led the charge with a clear goal: end cages for good.
A Broken Promise Sparked a Movement
In 1988, the Swedish Parliament pledged to ban cages. But when the egg industry failed to meet the deadline, lawmakers backed down. Cages stayed—just with slightly improved “enriched” designs.
Rather than accept the delay, Project 1882 ramped up pressure through reports, public campaigns, and strategic corporate outreach.
How Change Happened Without a Law
Instead of waiting for lawmakers, Project 1882 built a movement:
Partnered with over 85 companies, convincing retailers and foodservice giants to go cage-free.
Published rankings of animal-friendly municipalities, driving public pressure on local governments.
Mobilized consumers through public awareness and European-wide petitions.
One by one, companies and institutions made cage-free commitments. The final few producers eventually abandoned cages as demand disappeared.
Timeline of Progress
1988: Parliament promises to ban cages
2008: First corporate campaign begins; 40% of hens still in cages
2017: Major chains like Coop and Lidl go cage-free
2021: ICA, the last major retailer, stops selling cage eggs
2025: All cages are confirmed empty
Seventeen million hens have been spared from cage confinement since 2008.
No Cages, But No Law—What’s Next?
Project 1882 sees this as only the beginning. CEO Benny Andersson warns that without a legal ban, cages could return.
“This is a victory for persistence and for every person who stood by the hens. But we can’t stop now,” says Andersson.
A permanent law would ensure this progress can’t be undone—and strengthen Sweden’s role as a leader in animal welfare.
A Model for the EU
Sweden’s transition is already inspiring change. Project 1882 helped collect 50,000 signatures for the EU-wide “End the Cage Age” initiative, which aims to legally ban cages across Europe.
Although the European Commission delayed action until 2026, Sweden shows that an industry-wide cage-free model is not only possible—it’s already happening.
Proof That Advocacy Works
This didn’t happen overnight. It took over 50 years of advocacy, pressure, and persistence. But Sweden proves a critical point: laws are not the only path to change.
With enough pressure from consumers, companies, and activists, entire systems can shift—voluntarily, sustainably, and permanently.
What Sweden shows the world:
When the law stalls, the people can still move forward.
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