Head of Unit - C.2 Ethics, Good Administration & Relations with the European Ombudsman European Commission

 

Dear Mr X,

The Ombudsman has received several complaints against the European Commission about the above issue. The Ombudsman has asked me to deal with the case on her behalf.

The complaints concern the Commission’s alleged failure to follow up on the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) ‘End the Cage Age’. The complainants contend that the Commission committed to proposing legislation in response to the successful ECI by the end of 2023.[1] Yet, to date the Commission has neither done so, nor provided any clear timeline in this respect. The complainants are concerned that the Commission has abandoned its intention to come up with the proposals during 2023.[2]

The complainants sent a letter to the Commission on 30 October 2023 raising their concerns in this respect. It appears that the Commission has not replied to that letter.

We have also been informed that the Citizens’ Committee of the ECI in question has formally invited the Commission to act. Please note that the Citizens’ Committee is aware of these complaints to the Ombudsman.

I would thus suggest, if you have not yet done so, that you now reply to the complainants and inform us when it is done. We would be grateful if you could send your reply by 31 January 2024.

Attached to this e‐mail, please find (i) a copy of the complaint, as well as (ii) a copy of a joint letter from the complainants and the Citizens’ Committee of the ECI concerned.

Yours sincerely,

Rosita Hickey
Director of inquiries

Strasbourg, 20/12/2023

 

[1] As stated, among others, in the Communication from the Commission on the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) “End the Cage Age”. 30.6.2021. C(2021) 4747 final

[2] Based on the statements of Vice-President Šefčovič during his hearing, available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230929IPR06143/hearing-of-commission-executive-vice-president-maros-sefcovic.