Lower-house approves ban on caged chicken farming from 2027

The Chamber of Deputies has voted in favour of a proposed legislation that would ban farming chickens in cages starting from the year 2027 onwards.

Those in favour of the bill argued that conditions in cages are unfitting for chickens and that data on consumer behaviour suggests people prefer buying their eggs from businesses that keep their chickens in open spaces or in halls.

Agriculture Minister Miroslav Toman argued against the bill, saying that he wanted the ban to first be passed by the European Union, as the ban could damage Czech businesses if not implemented across the union. The European Council is set to discuss the issue on Monday, he said.