Slovenia proposes extending battery cage poultry ban to 2034

The Slovenian Ministry of Agriculture has proposed amendments to the animal protection law, aiming to balance high animal welfare standards with the practical needs of farmers and breeders. The proposal has entered a one-month public consultation period.

A central component of the amendment is the extension of the phase-out period for battery cage poultry farming. While the ministry maintains its goal to end this practice, it proposes moving the deadline from January 2029 to the end of 2034. This extension is intended to allow farmers to amortize existing investments and prepare for new farming regimes. To manage this transition, the ministry plans to stop public funding for the construction or renovation of battery cage facilities and will increase oversight of existing operations.

Other proposed changes include regulations regarding the surgical castration of piglets, which may allow trained breeders to perform the procedure with a veterinarian up to seven days of age, while older piglets would require mandatory anesthesia. The proposal also addresses issues such as temporary shelters, pet transport, dog tethering exceptions, and cat marking.