In Estonia, lawmakers and environmental advocates have appealed to the Agricultural Ministry to explore the implications of banning caged poultry farming. This move mirrors a growing European trend, with various nations already transitioning or planning to shift towards free-range farming.
According to the lawmakers, global preferences are increasingly favoring free-range poultry, underscoring the need for enhanced animal welfare standards in Estonian farms. They noted a societal expectation in Estonia for the poultry industry to move towards free-range practices.
Deputy committee chairman Arvo Aller indicated that the appeal recommends a transition to free-range systems within four to five years. However, this shift would come at a significant cost. Aller estimated that converting each chicken to a free-range setup would cost about €50. With the total poultry population in Estonia projected to reach 900,000 by 2024, the overall cost of the reform could be around €45 million, potentially affecting retail prices.
Despite the benefits, lawmakers expressed concerns about the timing and necessity of this transition. During a recent committee meeting, worries were raised about managing bird flu, as free-range farming could increase the risk of disease spread due to greater bird mobility.
Additionally, the authorities suggested reviewing regulations for small-scale poultry farms. Currently, Estonian law applies lenient veterinary rules to farms with up to 50 hens, while those with 51 or more hens must meet strict regulations akin to large industrial operations. Lawmakers proposed raising this threshold to ease administrative pressures on small poultry farmers and encourage industry growth.
