Appeals made for Estonia to ban caged poultry farming

A group of lawmakers and environmentalists have submitted a collective appeal to the Estonian Agricultural Ministry suggesting to consider the pros and cons of banning caged farming. Transition to free-range poultry farming is an all-European trend, with several countries already implementing or planning similar bans on caged farming. “People around the world have changed their preferences in favour of free-range keeping of birds,” the lawmakers stated, emphasising that the welfare of poultry at Estonian farms requires more attention from the authorities. During the commission meeting in June, the lawmakers also acknowledged that “there is an expectation in [Estonian] society that the poultry industry should be transferred to free-range farming”. “The collective appeal recommends switching to free-range housing within 4-5 years,” said Arvo Aller, deputy chairman of the committee. A huge bill However, the reform will incur substantial costs to the industry. As Aller estimated, ...