18/02/2026
The Good Lobby supported a complaint to the European Ombudsman concerning the European Commission’s mishandling of the successful Fur Free Europe European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI).
The complaint, submitted by Eurogroup for Animals, FOUR PAWS and Respect for Animals on behalf of the ECI citizens’ committee, raises serious concerns about how the Commission has been engaging with the fur industry in the preparation of its follow-up, allegedly breaching the principle of political equality and balanced stakeholder engagement in EU decision-making.
As the Commission prepares its official reply, expected by the end of March, it has held a workshop with representatives of the fur industry. Moreover, according to the complainants, civil society organisations’ requests for meetings, including a request to meet Commissioner Oliver Várhelyi, were not acknowledged. The complaint also highlights that key documents and minutes from meetings with industry representatives have not been disclosed.
This comes at a critical moment. More than 1.5 million citizens have called for a ban on fur farming and the sale of fur products in the EU. In parallel, the European Food Safety Authority has concluded that the welfare needs of animals kept for fur cannot be adequately met within current farming systems. Yet, stakeholders report that Commission consultations have focused primarily on scenarios allowing fur farming to continue, rather than fully assessing a ban.
This case goes beyond animal welfare. It strikes at the heart of democratic integrity in EU policymaking. The European Citizens’ Initiative is designed to empower citizens to shape the EU agenda. When over a million people mobilise around a clear demand, their voices must be given fair and equal consideration – alongside, not secondary to, industry interests.
Equal access to decision-makers, transparency of meetings, and evidence-based policymaking are not optional principles; they are foundational to trust in EU institutions. Ensuring political equality in stakeholder engagement is essential to safeguarding the legitimacy of the ECI process and the broader democratic framework of the Union.