Latvia’s parliament, the Saeima, voted down proposed legislation on Thursday that aimed to prohibit the use of battery cages for laying hens. The amendments to the Animal Protection Law were rejected in their first reading, halting the progression of a potential ban. The proposed law included a transition period, allowing farmers until 2032 to adapt to cage-free systems. Animal welfare advocates had hoped the legislation would align Latvia with growing European Union trends towards improved conditions for laying hens. Opponents of the ban, likely representing agricultural interests, argued the changes would increase production costs and impact the competitiveness of Latvian poultry farmers. The future of cage-free legislation in Latvia remains uncertain following this parliamentary decision. Further debate and potential revisions to the law are possible.