Latvia’s Saeima Bans Live Animal Trade

The Latvian parliament, the Saeima, rejected a proposal on June 12, 2026, to legally ban the practice of keeping laying hens in cages. The decision follows a period of public advocacy and a protest march in Riga calling for stricter animal welfare standards in the poultry industry.

Multiple news outlets, including LSM, Lasi.lv, and Jauns.lv, confirmed that the legislative body voted against the motion to forbid the use of cage systems. The rejected proposal sought to integrate a ban on these confinement methods directly into national law.

Why was the proposal to ban cages rejected?

The Saeima declined the proposal to implement a legal prohibition on the keeping of laying hens in cages, according to reports from LSM and Lasi.lv. The rejection means that current industrial farming practices regarding hen confinement remain legal under Latvian law.

While the reports confirm the outcome of the vote, they do not specify the exact number of votes cast for or against the measure. The decision maintains the status quo for poultry producers who utilize cage-based systems for egg production.

How did activists protest the decision?

Animal rights advocates organized a public demonstration in the center of Riga to coincide with the legislative debate. TVNET reported that the march, titled “Par dzīvniekiem: brīvību vistām!” (For Animals: Freedom for Hens!), focused on demanding an end to cage confinement.

The marchers sought to bring visibility to the conditions of caged hens and urged lawmakers to adopt more humane farming alternatives. The protest served as a direct response to the proposal being considered by the Saeima.

What is the legislative history of this issue?

The debate over the treatment of laying hens has been a recurring item on the parliamentary agenda. ReTV reported that the issue of “hen freedom” had returned to the Saeima’s schedule, indicating that this was not an isolated legislative attempt to change animal welfare laws.

The recurring nature of the proposal suggests a persistent divide between animal welfare advocates and the legislative majority. Despite the repeated return of the topic to the agenda, the June 12, 2026, vote confirms that the parliament is not currently prepared to mandate a transition away from cage systems.