European Ombudswoman Teresa Anjinho has asked the European Commission to reply to a meeting request from the organisers of the Fur Free Europe European citizens’ initiative. She has also asked the Commission to use its reply to address concerns raised by the organisers when it comes to balanced stakeholder involvement and evidence-based decision-making.

Fur Free Europe filed a complaint with the European Ombudsman after the Commission failed to reply to their meeting request of 12 December 2025. In addition to asking to meet with Commission representatives, the organisers are concerned that the Commission is failing to ensure balanced stakeholder involvement in the decisive phase of their Initiative and is not taking into consideration key evidence in its decision making, including a scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The Ombudsman noted that the organisers may have been able to raise these issues directly with the Commission if it had replied to their meeting request.

She has asked the Commission to reply to the organisers before it plans to adopt its final position on their European Citizens’ Initiative this March.