Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce calls for fact-based discussion on poultry farming

TALLINN – Supervision in Estonia is conducted by competent state authorities and justice is administered by the courts, making it an extremely problematic situation when a segment of society assumes the right to break the law, trespass into poultry farming enterprises, and conduct unauthorized “inspections,” says the Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce.

The program "Pealtnägija," airing on Wednesday, will once again address the issue of caged hens, a topic that has been at the center of public debate for years. Next week, the relevant draft legislation will also reach the plenary hall of the Riigikogu. The video footage shown in the program will undoubtedly evoke strong emotions, but a legitimate question arises as to how this footage was obtained, given that only company employees and supervising officials are allowed to enter poultry houses to ensure biosecurity.

The company cannot comment on the specifics of the incident as the police are investigating the circumstances of a possible illegal entry and a breach of animal disease control regulations.

According to the Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce, it is important to emphasize that animal welfare is a high priority for the Estonian agricultural sector, and its provision is clearly regulated. Businesses are required to comply with all applicable requirements, and their compliance is monitored by competent state authorities.

It must also be understood that unauthorized entry into farms can pose a serious threat to both the animals' health and the entire sector. The Agriculture and Food Board imposes very strict biosecurity requirements on those entering farms to prevent the spread of dangerous animal diseases, including avian influenza. Avian flu is an extremely contagious and often fatal disease for birds, which in the worst-case scenario can lead to the deaths of tens of thousands of birds and cause severe economic damage.

Supervision of compliance with animal welfare and health requirements is clearly organized in Estonia. The Agriculture and Food Board visited the company in question twice in 2026 – in January and March – and on both occasions, it was determined that its operations complied with the current regulations.

It is also important to highlight the broader context. On February 25, 2026, under the leadership of the Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce, Estonia's largest egg producers signed a declaration of goodwill, voluntarily committing to transition to cage-free hen housing systems by 2035 at the latest. This is a sector-wide agreement that requires an estimated investment of nearly 50 million euros.

This demonstrates that the sector is prepared to make long-term and substantial changes to improve animal welfare. However, the transition must occur within a realistic timeframe to preserve Estonian egg production, jobs in rural areas, and the nation's food security.

"If we accept breaking the law 'for a good cause,' a legitimate question arises: where do we draw the line? How do we prevent a situation where vigilantism becomes an accepted practice in society? The Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce calls for a balanced and fact-based discussion that considers animal welfare, biosecurity, and the principles of the rule of law in Estonia," the Chamber stated.